Defining operating areas for virtual reality systems using sensor-equipped operating surfaces

ABSTRACT

An operating area for a virtual reality system may be defined based on the positions of sensors (e.g., infrared sensors) or fiducial markings within an environment where the virtual reality system is to be operated. The sensors or the fiducial markings may be provided on an operating surface in the form of a carpet, a mat or another like floor covering. When the virtual reality system is to be calibrated prior to use, positions of the sensors or the fiducial markings may be sensed by a base station, a headset or another virtual reality system unit, and an operating area may be defined based on virtual boundaries constructed using such positions.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/665,170, filed Jul. 31, 2017, the contents of which are incorporatedby reference herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

Virtual reality systems (or “virtual environment systems,” or “virtualreality environments”) are configured to provide an enhanced graphicalexperience to users of computers, and to effectively immerse the userswithin their respective computing environments. Virtual reality systemsmay include any number of monitors or other displays, as well as one ormore motion sensors that may be used to track positions and/or motion ofone or more limbs or other body parts. In some instances, virtualreality systems include monitors, displays and/or sensors that may beworn on or about the human body. By rendering visual information in athree-dimensional orientation around a user, and tracking the user'smovements or other responses to the rendered information, a virtualreality system may permit the user to physically interact with aspectsof a simulated environment from within an actual, real-worldenvironment. Currently, virtual reality systems are used not only ingraphical applications such as video games or movies but also in othercomputing environments or platforms such as for virtual training (e.g.,for simulating the performance of expensive or complex tasks such assurgical procedures or military operations), virtual modeling (e.g., fordescribing planned physical structures, such as physical structures thatare under construction) or like applications, with the goal of virtuallysimulating an actual environment to the maximum extent practicable.

Many virtual reality systems must be calibrated prior to use, with thegoal of establishing a space, sometimes called a “play area,” surroundedby one or more “virtual boundaries,” within an actual environment withinwhich a user may operate while interacting with a simulated environment.In some instances, calibrating a virtual system to establish a play areainvolves tracking one or more portions of a user's body as the userexecutes one or more gestures or poses within the actual environment.Virtual boundaries may be defined based on the tracked motion of theuser's body which, presumably, does not come into contact with anywalls, furniture or other obstacles during a calibration process. Once aplay area has been established, a user who is within the play area maybe alerted by the virtual reality system when he or she has approachedor breached a virtual boundary, and may be prompted to return to theplay area accordingly.

Currently, many virtual reality systems are plagued by a number oflimitations. For example, a play area typically must be establishedaccording to one or more calibration processes each time that a virtualreality system is used in a new location. As virtual reality systemsbecome smaller and more portable, this requirement becomes more and morecumbersome. Additionally, not every virtual reality application requiresa play area of the same size. Moreover, most virtual reality systemsassume that a floor within a play area is perfectly flat, when thisassumption frequently does not coincide with reality.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A through 1E are views of aspects of a virtual reality system inaccordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of components of one system in accordance withembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of one process for defining an operating area forvirtual reality systems in accordance with embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 4 is a view of one operating surface in accordance with embodimentsof the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of one process for defining an operating area forvirtual reality systems in accordance with embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 6 is a view of one operating surface in accordance with embodimentsof the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a view of aspects of one virtual reality system in accordancewith embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are views of some operating surfaces in accordance withembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are views of some operating surfaces in accordance withembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a view of aspects of one virtual reality system in accordancewith embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart of one process for defining an operating areafor virtual reality systems in accordance with embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

FIGS. 12A through 12D are views of aspects of one virtual reality systemin accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 13A and 13B are views of aspects of one system in accordance withembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 14A through 14E are views of aspects of one virtual reality systemin accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 15A through 15C are views of aspects of one virtual reality systemin accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 16A and 16B are views of aspects of one virtual reality system inaccordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 17 is a flow chart of one process for defining an operating areafor virtual reality systems in accordance with embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

FIGS. 18A and 18B are views of aspects of one virtual reality system inaccordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As is set forth in greater detail below, the present disclosure isdirected to systems and methods for defining operating areas for virtualreality systems. More specifically, some of the embodiments of thepresent disclosure are directed to virtual reality systems that maydetermine dimensions or attributes of areas of an actual environment inwhich such systems are operated. In some embodiments, such dimensions orattributes may be determined using operating surfaces that may be placedon floors, or suspended from walls or other locations within such areas.In some embodiments, operating surfaces may be outfitted with one ormore sensors. Positions of such sensors may be determined by basestations, headsets or other units or components of a virtual realitysystem, and virtual boundaries, surface features or other attributes ofan operating area associated with the virtual reality system may bedetermined based on such positions. In some embodiments, operatingsurfaces may be marked with fiducial markings in the form of one or morecolors, patterns, logos or other features. Images of the operatingsurfaces may be captured by base stations, headsets or other units orcomponents of a virtual reality system, and virtual boundaries, surfacefeatures or other attributes of an operating area associated with thevirtual reality system may be determined based on an analysis of theimaging data. Once the virtual boundaries, surface features or otherattributes of the operating area have been determined, a virtual realitysystem may incorporate such boundaries, surface features or otherattributes into a virtual reality experience, such as by customizing thevirtual reality experience to account for aspects of an actualenvironment in which the virtual reality system is operated.

Referring to FIGS. 1A through 1E, views of aspects of a virtual realitysystem 100 in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure areshown. The system 100 includes an operating surface 120, a virtualreality headset 130 and a base station 160.

As is shown in FIG. 1A, the operating surface 120 includes a pluralityof sensors 122-1, 122-2, 122-3, 122-4 disposed between an upper layer(or substrate) 121 and a lower layer (or substrate) 123. Additionally, afiducial marking 125 is provided on a visible surface of the upper layer121.

The operating surface 120 may take the form of a carpet, a mat, a dropcloth, a tarp, a sheet or any other covering that may be laid upon afloor or other traveling or working surface, which may include one ormore other carpets, mats, drop cloths, tarps, sheets or other likecoverings. The upper layer 121 may be formed from any material that isflexible and sufficiently durable to accommodate foot traffic thereon,including but not limited to natural or synthetic fibers (e.g., woven ornon-woven fibers) or other substrates. The lower layer 123 may be formedfrom any material that is flexible and sufficiently durable to providean interface between the upper layer 121 and a floor or other surfaceupon which the operating surface 120 is applied. In some embodiments,the lower layer 123 may be formed from the same material as the upperlayer 121, or a different material. In some embodiments, the pluralityof sensors 122-1, 122-2, 122-3, 122-4 may be embedded within a single,homogenous substrate that may be applied on a floor or other surface. Insome embodiments, the plurality of sensors 122-1, 122-2, 122-3, 122-4may also be placed, installed, embedded or mounted into or onto a flooror other surface, and a separate surface that binds one or more of thesensors 122-1, 122-2, 122-3, 122-4 to one another (e.g., the operatingsurface 120) need not be utilized. In still other embodiments, theoperating surface 120 may be mounted, hung, draped or otherwise orientedvertically, or in any manner other than by applying the operatingsurface 120 atop a floor or other surface.

The sensors 122-1, 122-2, 122-3, 122-4 may be any type or form ofcomponent that is configured to transmit a signal to one or morecorresponding components of the virtual reality headset 130 and/or thebase station 160, or to receive a signal from one or more of suchcomponents and to determine or indicate their respective positions basedon the transmission and capture of such signals. The signals transmittedor received by the sensors 122-1, 122-2, 122-3, 122-4 may be homogenousor identical in nature or, alternatively, may be uniquely configured toinclude any information, data or metadata associated with the operatingsurface 120, or one or more of the respective sensors 122-1, 122-2,122-3, 122-4, the headset 130 and/or the base station 160.

The sensors 122-1, 122-2, 122-3, 122-4 may be configured to transmitand/or receive signals according to any protocol. In some embodiments,the sensors 122-1, 122-2, 122-3, 122-4 may be configured to emit and/orcapture visible and/or invisible light, and to determine or indicatetheir respective positions based on the emission and capture of suchlight. For example, the sensors 122-1, 122-2, 122-3, 122-4 may includeone or more photodiodes that are sensitive to light at one or morediscrete wavelengths or frequencies (e.g., infrared light or radiation),or one or more light-emitting diodes (“LED”) that are configured to emitlight at such wavelengths or frequencies. In some embodiments, thesensors 122-1, 122-2, 122-3, 122-4 may be configured to emit and/orcapture acoustic signals, and to determine or indicate their respectivepositions based on the emission and capture of such signals. In someembodiments, the sensors 122-1, 122-2, 122-3, 122-4 may be configured totransmit and/or receive Wireless Fidelity (“Wi-Fi”), signals, Bluetooth®signals, or any type or form of signals within any frequency spectra,and to determine or indicate their respective positions based on thetransmission and capture of such signals. Each of the sensors 122-1,122-2, 122-3, 122-4 may include one or more processors, memorycomponents and/or power sources for transmitting or receiving signalstherefrom. Alternatively, the operating surface 120 may include one ormore processors, memory components and/or power sources that may beaccessed or utilized by the sensors 122-1, 122-2, 122-3, 122-4 in ashared manner, e.g., by way of one or more conductors provided betweenthe upper layer 121 and the lower layer 123, or elsewhere within theoperating surface 120.

The fiducial marking 125 may be any single color, pattern or logo, orany other marking, or a collection of two or more colors, patterns,logos or markings, disposed on the visible surface of the upper layer121. In some embodiments, the sizes, shapes or other attributes of thefiducial marking 125 may be specifically selected to generate aprominent, visual contrast with a floor or other surface upon which theoperating surface 120 is to be applied. The virtual reality headset 130and/or the base station 160 may be programmed or configured to recognizeone or more attributes of the fiducial marking 125, e.g., depictedwithin imaging data captured by one or more sensors.

The virtual reality headset 130 may be any wearable or manually operableunit or component configured for executing one or more virtual realityapplications, either autonomously or in conjunction with the basestation 160. The headset 130 may include a frame, a strap or one or morefeatures for mounting the headset 130 about a head and/or face of a user135. For example, the headset 130 may include a frame having one or moreopenings that are formed or defined from any type or form of materialsuch as one or more rubbers, woven or non-woven fabrics, plastics,composites, leathers, papers (e.g., cardboards) or the like that may bemolded or shaped and configured for contact or alignment with left andright eyes of the user, respectively, and a strap that is formed fromany suitable material that may flexibly mate the frame with the head orface of the user, including but not limited to rubbers, woven ornon-woven fabrics, plastics (e.g., polyesters, nylons), composites,leathers, papers (e.g., cardboards) or the like. Alternatively, theheadset 130 may include a temporary or basic frame formed from paper(e.g., cardboard) or light plastics that may be manually pressed againstor aligned with the head or face of the user. Within such a frame, theheadset 130 may include one or more computer displays that are alignedto render information to the left and right eyes of the user,respectively. The headset 130 may also include one or more imagingdevices or other sensors that are aligned to capture imaging data (e.g.,colors, textures, outlines or depth information or data) regarding thepositions or orientations of aspects of the left and right eyes,respectively, of a user, based on visible light or invisible light(e.g., infrared light or radiation) reflected therefrom. The headset 130may also include one or more other computer components (not shown),e.g., processors, memory components or the like, in communication withthe displays or sensors, as well as one or more communicationscomponents (not shown), e.g., transmitters, receivers or transducers,for transmitting or receiving digital or analog data to or from one ormore external computer devices, components or systems, including but notlimited to the base station 160.

The base station 160 may be any computer-based unit or component thatmay be configured for executing one or more virtual realityapplications, either autonomously or in conjunction with the headset130. The base station 160 includes one or more sensors such as imagingdevices (e.g., visual cameras and/or depth cameras), infrared emittersor receivers, acoustic emitters or receivers, Wi-Fi enabled devices,Bluetooth®-enabled devices, or the like. Accordingly, the base station160 may be configured to detect the presence and location of the one ormore sensors 122-1, 122-2, 122-3, 122-4 within an environment in whichthe system 100 is configured for operation, as well as the presence orabsence of any objects within the environment. The base station 160 mayalso include one or more other computer components (not shown), e.g.,processors, memory components or the like, in communication with thedisplays or sensors, as well as one or more communications components(not shown), e.g., transmitters, receivers or transducers, fortransmitting or receiving digital or analog data to or from one or moreexternal computer devices, components or systems, including but notlimited to the headset 130 or any number of other virtual reality unitsor components. In some embodiments, the base station 160 may have all ofthe computer-related capabilities and/or components of the headset 130,and vice versa, except that the base station 160 need not be configuredfor wearing or use about a head and/or face of a user, or configured foroperation while so worn.

In accordance with the present disclosure, operating surfaces may beused to establish one or more virtual boundaries, and to thereby definean operating area, or “play area,” for a virtual reality system based onsuch boundaries. In some embodiments, the virtual boundaries may includeone or more virtual walls in the form of planar or non-planar surfaces.In some other embodiments, the virtual boundaries may include one ormore virtual floors or ceilings in the form of planar or non-planarsurfaces. As is shown in FIG. 1B, the user 135 may apply the operatingsurface 120 to a floor or other surface in an environment in which thesystem 100 is to be utilized, e.g., by unrolling or laying out theoperating surface 120 on such a surface within an operating range of thebase station 160 and/or one or more other network components (notshown). As is shown in FIG. 1C, after the operating surface 120 has beenapplied within the environment, the base station 160 may determine therespective positions of each of the sensors 122-1, 122-2, 122-3, 122-4,e.g., using an infrared transceiver 170. The base station 160 may alsorecognize one or more attributes of the operating surface 120, such asthe fiducial marking 125, using a visual imaging device 172-1 and/or adepth imaging device 172-2. Based on the positions of each of thesensors 122-1, 122-2, 122-3, 122-4, or the attributes of the operatingsurface 120, as determined upon recognizing the fiducial marking 125 asdepicted in imaging data, the base station 160 may determine theorientation of the operating surface 120, and define an operating areathereon for use by the user 135 during the operation of the system 100.

As is shown in FIG. 1D, the base station 160 establishes an operatingarea 150 having a plurality of virtual boundaries 152-12, 152-13,152-24, 152-34 based on the positions of each of the sensors 122-1,122-2, 122-3, 122-4 and/or the attributes of the operating surface 120.For example, as is shown in FIG. 1D, the virtual boundary 152-12 extendsbetween the position of the sensor 122-1 and the position of the sensor122-2, vertically upward from the operating surface 120. Likewise, thevirtual boundary 152-13 extends vertically upward between the positionsof the sensor 122-1 and the sensor 122-3, while the virtual boundary152-24 extends vertically upward between the positions of the sensor122-2 and the sensor 122-4, and the virtual boundary 152-34 extendsvertically upward between the positions of the sensor 122-3 and thesensor 122-4. Alternatively, the operating area 150 may be furtherdefined by a virtual floor that includes the positions of the sensors122-1, 122-2, 122-3, 122-4. The operating area 150 and/or the virtualboundaries 152-12, 152-13, 152-24, 152-34 may be defined as sets of dataindicative of positions of points in space, or ranges of such points inspace (e.g., planar, volumetric or other geometric sections of points inspace). For example, the operating area 150 may be defined exclusivelyby the virtual boundaries 152-12, 152-13, 152-24, 152-34, such that theoperating area 150 includes all points within a volume or volumetricsection defined by the virtual boundaries 152-12, 152-13, 152-24,152-34.

Once the operating area 150 has been established, points in spacecorresponding to the operating area 150 and/or one or more of thevirtual boundaries 152-12, 152-13, 152-24, 152-34 may be utilized toestablish or modify a simulated environment generated by the system 100.For example, as is shown in FIG. 1D, the base station 160 may determinea position of the headset 130 and/or the user 135, and may generate avirtual reality experience for the user 135 that takes into account theposition of the headset 130 and/or the user 135 within the operatingarea 150 and/or with respect to one or more of the virtual boundaries152-12, 152-13, 152-24, 152-34.

As is shown in FIG. 1E, when the user 135 approaches the virtualboundary 152-34, one or more images (e.g., of a brick wall or otherinsuperable obstacle) may be displayed by displays 140-L, 140-R withinthe headset 130, thereby informing the user 135 that he or she shouldreverse course and/or avoid traveling further in his or her currentdirection. For example, as the user 135 is tracked within the operatingarea 150, when the headset 130 and/or the base station 160 determinesthat one or more aspects of the user 135 has entered within apredetermined threshold distance of one or more of the virtualboundaries 152-12, 152-13, 152-24, 152-34, or has come into contact withone or more of the virtual boundaries 152-12, 152-13, 152-24, 152-34,the headset 130 may provide one or more visual messages to the user 135by the displays 140-L, 140-R.

In some embodiments, the operating surface 120 may also be configured toprovide feedback to the user 135. For example, the upper layer 121 mayhave a discrete texture that provides a unique feel or sense of touch tothe feet of the user 135 when he or she is on the operating surface 120,such that the user 135 may readily recognize when he or she is no longeron the operating surface 120. Alternatively, the operating surface 120may be outfitted with one or more feedback elements for providing hapticfeedback (e.g., vibrations) or audible feedback (e.g., sounds) to theuser 135 when he or she approaches or departs the operating surface 120,as determined by the headset 130, the base station 160, or any otheraspect of the system 100.

Accordingly, the systems and methods of the present disclosure maydefine operating areas, or “play areas,” for virtual reality systemsusing operating surfaces that include one or more sensors disposedtherein, or feature fiducial markings such as one or more distinctcolors, patterns or logos on one or more visible surfaces thereof. Theoperating areas may be defined by collections of points in spaceconstituting virtual walls, virtual floors, virtual ceilings or otherplanar or non-planar sections, including points within such sections,such as one or more of the virtual boundaries 152-12, 152-13, 152-24,152-34 of FIGS. 1A through 1E, or regions of points in space, includingpoints within volumes or volumetric sections defined by such boundaries.The sensors and/or the fiducial markings may be recognized by componentsof a virtual reality system, e.g., a virtual reality headset and/or abase station, and one or more virtual boundaries may be establishedaccordingly. The sensors and/or the fiducial markings may also be usedto determine one or more attributes of a floor or other surface ontowhich the operating surfaces are applied, and to define the operatingarea based on such attributes. In some embodiments, the sensors and/orthe fiducial markings may be utilized on surfaces other than floors, andat non-horizontal angles, to enable a virtual reality system to definean operating area that is consistent with the actual conditions orconstraints of an environment in which the virtual reality system isprovided. Once an operating area has been determined, a virtual realityexperience of a user may be customized to take into account the variousaspects of the operating area.

Virtual reality systems are computer-based systems that are intended toenable users to interact with a responsive, virtual environment whileremaining within an actual, real-world environment. Most virtual realitysystems include visual displays that immerse users in a virtualenvironment while blocking out contradictory sensory impressions from anactual environment, along with one or more other feedback devices. Suchsystems are configured to track a user's positions and actions within anactual environment while constantly rendering a virtual environment thatis updated based on such positions and actions. In many virtual realitysystems, a head-worn apparatus (e.g., a headset) is worn by a user tofacilitate the rendering of a virtual environment to the user whileobscuring an actual environment from the user as he or she interactswith the virtual environment from within the actual environment.

Naturally, one intrinsically limiting condition for any virtual realitysystem is that a user thereof should not contact any walls, ceilings orother obstacles within an actual environment while executing gestures,motions or other actions to interact with a virtual environment.Therefore, determining locations of such obstacles, or defining anoperating area that specifically avoids such obstacles, is imperativefor a virtual reality system. Moreover, nearly every virtual realitysystem also requires that a user interact, in some way, with a floor orother traveling or working surface of an actual environment while theuser also interacts with a virtual environment, and presumes that suchfloors or other traveling or working surfaces are flat. Properlyidentifying locations and orientations of obstacles, and attributes offloors, is imperative to ensuring that a user enjoys a high-qualityvirtual reality experience. When a user of a virtual reality systemunintentionally contacts an obstacle or encounters a non-flat floor orother surface that is neither present nor identifiable within thevirtual environment, the user experiences a form of cognitive dissonancein which two of his or her senses are in irreconcilable conflict: whatthe user sees in the virtual environment is inconsistent with what theuser touches or feels within the actual environment. Such cognitivedissonance may result in a dramatic downgrade of the quality of avirtual reality experience of the user.

Most virtual reality systems require an initial set-up or calibrationprocess in which the virtual reality systems are trained as to theconfigurations and arrangements of the actual environments in which theyare situated. During such processes, a user typically performs one ormore predetermined or spontaneous gestures, motions or other actions asthe locations of one or more of his or her body parts are tracked by thevirtual reality system. Data gathered during such gestures, motions orother actions may be used to define a “play area,” or an operating area,for the virtual reality system. Typically, where a virtual realitysystem comprises components that are fixed in location, such set-up orcalibration processes must be performed once. Where a virtual realitysystem comprises mobile components, or where a virtual reality systemthat includes fixed components is moved from one location to another,such set-up or calibration processes must be repeated in order todetermine the physical and virtual constraints of an operating area forthe virtual reality system.

Imaging devices such as digital cameras or like machines may operate bycapturing light that is reflected from objects, and by subsequentlycalculating or assigning one or more quantitative values to aspects ofthe reflected light, e.g., pixels, generating an output based on suchvalues, and storing such values in one or more data stores. Imagingdevices may include one or more sensors having one or more filtersassociated therewith, and such sensors may detect information regardingaspects of any number of pixels of the reflected light corresponding toone or more base colors (e.g., red, green or blue) of the reflectedlight. Such sensors may generate data files including such information,and store such data files in one or more onboard or accessible datastores (e.g., a hard drive or other like component), as well as one ormore removable data stores (e.g., flash memory devices), or displayed onone or more broadcast or closed-circuit television networks, or over acomputer network as the Internet. Data files that are stored in one ormore data stores may be printed onto paper, presented on one or morecomputer displays, or subjected to one or more analyses, such as toidentify items expressed therein.

Reflected light may be captured or detected by an imaging device if thereflected light is within the device's field of view, which is definedas a function of a distance between a sensor and a lens within thedevice, viz., a focal length, as well as a location of the device and anangular orientation of the device's lens. Accordingly, where an objectappears within a depth of field (or focus range), or a distance withinthe field of view where the clarity and focus is sufficiently sharp, animaging device may capture light that is reflected off objects of anykind to a sufficiently high degree of resolution using one or moresensors thereof, and store information regarding the reflected light inone or more data files.

Many imaging devices also include manual or automatic features formodifying their respective fields of view or orientations. For example,a digital camera may be configured in a fixed position, or with a fixedfocal length (e.g., fixed-focus lenses) or angular orientation.Alternatively, an imaging device may include one or more motorizedfeatures for adjusting a position of the imaging device, or foradjusting either the focal length (e.g., zooming the imaging device) orthe angular orientation (e.g., the roll angle, the pitch angle or theyaw angle), by causing a change in the distance between the sensor andthe lens (e.g., optical zoom lenses or digital zoom lenses), a change inthe location of the imaging device, or a change in one or more of theangles defining the angular orientation.

Some modern imaging devices may digitally or electronically adjust animage identified in a field of view, subject to one or more physical andoperational constraints. For example, a digital camera may virtuallystretch or condense the pixels of an image in order to focus or broadenthe field of view of the digital camera, and also translate one or moreportions of images within the field of view. Imaging devices havingoptically adjustable focal lengths or axes of orientation are commonlyreferred to as pan-tilt-zoom (or “PTZ”) imaging devices, while imagingdevices having digitally or electronically adjustable zooming ortranslating features are commonly referred to as electronic PTZ (or“ePTZ”) imaging devices.

Information and/or data regarding features or objects expressed inimaging data, including colors, textures or outlines of the features orobjects, may be extracted from the data in any number of ways. Forexample, colors of pixels, or of groups of pixels, in a digital imagemay be determined and quantified according to one or more standards,e.g., the RGB (“red-green-blue”) color model, in which the portions ofred, green or blue in a pixel are expressed in three correspondingnumbers ranging from 0 to 255 in value, or a hexadecimal model, in whicha color of a pixel is expressed in a six-character code, wherein each ofthe characters may have a range of sixteen. Moreover, textures orfeatures of objects expressed in a digital image may be identified usingone or more computer-based methods, such as by identifying changes inintensities within regions or sectors of the image, or by defining areasof an image corresponding to specific surfaces.

Furthermore, edges, contours, outlines, colors, textures, silhouettes,shapes or other characteristics of objects, or portions of objects,expressed in still or moving digital images may be identified using oneor more algorithms or machine-learning tools. The objects or portions ofobjects may be stationary or in motion, and may be identified at single,finite periods of time, or over one or more periods or durations. Suchalgorithms or tools may be directed to recognizing and markingtransitions (e.g., the edges, contours, outlines, colors, textures,silhouettes, shapes or other characteristics of objects or portionsthereof) depicted within the digital images as closely as possible, andin a manner that minimizes noise and disruptions, and does not createfalse transitions. Some detection algorithms or techniques that may beutilized in order to recognize characteristics of objects or portionsthereof depicted in digital images in accordance with the presentdisclosure include, but are not limited to, Canny edge detectors oralgorithms; Sobel operators, algorithms or filters; Kayyali operators;Roberts edge detection algorithms; Prewitt operators; Frei-Chen methods;or any other algorithms or techniques that may be known to those ofordinary skill in the pertinent arts.

Once the characteristics of stationary or moving objects or portionsthereof have been recognized as being depicted in one or more digitalimages, such characteristics of the objects or portions thereof may bematched against information regarding edges, contours, outlines, colors,textures, silhouettes, shapes or other characteristics of known objects,which may be stored in one or more data stores. In this regard,stationary or moving objects may be classified based at least in part onthe extent to which the characteristics identified in one or moredigital images correspond to one or more of the characteristics of theknown objects.

The systems and methods of the present disclosure are directed toovercoming one or more limitations of virtual reality systems, or toenhancing the operability and efficacy of such systems, by enabling suchsystems to quickly and accurately define operating areas. In someembodiments, the virtual reality systems include operating surfaceshaving a plurality of sensors disposed therein or thereon. The operatingsurfaces may take the form of a carpet, a mat, a drop cloth, a tarp, asheet or any other covering that may be laid upon a floor or othertraveling or working surface where the virtual reality system is to beoperated. The positions of such sensors may be determined by one or morecomponents of the virtual reality system, e.g., by corresponding sensorsor other components of a virtual reality headset and/or a base station.Based on such positions, an alignment and/or orientation of theoperating surface may be determined. Once the alignment and/ororientation of the operating surface has been determined, an operatingarea, or “play area,” may be established for the virtual reality system,such as by constructing one or more virtual boundaries that areconsistent with the positions of the sensors. Information or dataregarding the operating area, the virtual boundaries and/or thealignment and/or orientation of the operating surface may be utilized bythe virtual reality system to enhance a virtual reality experience for auser, and to minimize the likelihood that the user may experience anyform of cognitive dissonance during use.

In some embodiments, the operating surfaces may include one or morefiducial markings formed from one or more colors, patterns, logos orother features. Such operating surfaces may also take the form of acarpet, a mat, a drop cloth, a tarp, a sheet or any other covering thatmay be laid upon a floor or other traveling or working surface where thevirtual reality system is to be operated. The positions and/ororientations of such fiducial markings may be determined by one or morecomponents of the virtual reality system, e.g., by one or more visualimaging devices and/or depth imaging devices. Based on such positionsand/or orientations, an alignment and/or orientation of the operatingsurface may be determined, and an operating area may be established forthe virtual reality system, such as by constructing one or more virtualboundaries that are consistent with the positions and/or orientations ofthe fiducial markings. Information or data regarding the operating area,the virtual boundaries and/or the alignment and/or orientation of theoperating surface may be utilized by the virtual reality system toenhance a virtual reality experience for a user, and to minimize thelikelihood that the user may experience any form of cognitive dissonanceduring use of the virtual reality system.

Based on the use of one or more sensors and/or fiducial markings inaccordance with the present disclosure, an operating area, or one ormore virtual boundaries of the operating area, may be defined in anymanner. In some embodiments, a virtual boundary may take the form of avirtual wall or one or more planar or non-planar sections. In some otherembodiments, a virtual boundary may take the form of a virtual floorand/or a virtual ceiling, or one or more other planar or non-planarsections. For example, in some embodiments, a virtual boundary may beprogrammatically defined to include positions of one or more sensors,e.g., the sensors 122-1, 122-2, 122-3, 122-4 of FIGS. 1A through 1E, orpositions of one or more aspects of a fiducial marking. In some otherembodiments, however, a virtual boundary may be programmatically definedwith respect to positions of such sensors or aspects of the fiducialmarking. For example, when a position of a sensor is determined, avirtual boundary may be defined to include one or more points in spacethat are located at any distance or in any direction from the positionof the sensor, as well as any bounds or limits associated with suchpoints. A virtual boundary need not include positions of any of thesensors or aspects of a fiducial marking from which the virtual boundarywas defined. Thus, virtual boundaries may be defined to have any height,length, width or area, and may be defined to have any shape or form,with respect to one or more sensors and/or aspects of fiducial markingsin accordance with the present disclosure. The operating areas may thustake the form of a three-dimensional mesh having a plurality of pointsin space, with the virtual boundaries comprising polygons extendingbetween the respective points of the three-dimensional mesh.

In some embodiments, surfaces that include one or more sensors or bearone or more fiducial markings thereon may be mounted, hung, draped orotherwise provided vertically or at any angle, or in any manner otherthan by applying the operating surface atop a floor or other surface,and one or more virtual boundaries of an operating area may be definedbased on the positions of the sensors included therein or the positionsof the fiducial markings borne thereon. In some embodiments, sensorsand/or fiducial markings may be utilized in connection with virtualreality systems even if one or more of such sensors or fiducial markingsare not associated with a surface (e.g., a sheet-like object). Forexample, individual sensors or fiducial markings may be mounted,installed, posted or otherwise provided within an actual environmentand, when the positions of such sensors or fiducial markings arerecognized by a virtual reality system, used to establish one or morevirtual boundaries or an operating area of a virtual environment. Insome other embodiments, a virtual reality system may use an array ormatrix of sensors and/or fiducial markings to determine contours, shapesor other features of a floor or other surface onto which such sensors orfiducial markings are applied. In some embodiments, a virtual realitysystem may use a plurality of sensors and/or fiducial markings that areapplied atop a floor, and area also hung, draped or otherwise providedin a manner other than by applying the sensors and/or fiducial markingsatop the floor.

The use of the operating surfaces, sensors and/or fiducial markingsdisclosed herein provide a number of advantages over traditional virtualreality systems. For example, one or more of the operating surfaces ofthe present disclosure may be readily and easily applied to a floor orother surface of an actual environment in which a virtual reality systemis to be operated. The virtual reality system may rapidly calibrateitself with respect to the operating surfaces, e.g., by triangulatinglocations of the sensors and/or aspects of the fiducial markings, and anoperating area having one or more virtual boundaries may be definedaccordingly. Additionally, contours, shapes or other features of a flooror other surface of an actual environment may be determined based onsensed variations in the positions of the sensors and/or the aspects ofthe fiducial markings, and the operating area may be defined based onthe contours, the shapes or the other features of the floor or the othersurface accordingly.

Moreover, locations of sensors and/or aspects of fiducial markings mayalso be used to determine information or data regarding users of thevirtual reality system. For example, where an operating surface havingsensors arranged at predetermined distances or intervals is applied to afloor or other surface in an environment where a virtual reality systemis to be utilized, the distances or intervals between the respectivesensors may be used to determine one or more dimensions of a user of thevirtual reality system. Avatars or other virtual representations of theuser may be accurately determined based on such dimensions accordingly.Similarly, where an operating surface having a fiducial marking withpredetermined distances or dimensions is applied to a floor or othersurface in an environment where a virtual reality system is to beutilized, the distances or dimensions of the fiducial marking may beused to determine one or more dimensions of a user of the virtualreality system accordingly.

Furthermore, operating surfaces or other aspects of the presentdisclosure may be utilized to provide active feedback to a userregarding his or her position within an operating area. For example, insome embodiments, an upper layer or substrate of an operating surfacemay have a distinct texture or feel that may indicate to a user when heor she is on the operating surface while he or she is using a virtualreality system. Conversely, when the user no longer experiences thedistinct texture or feel, the user may discern that he or she is nolonger on the operating surface. In some other embodiments, an operatingsurface may be equipped with one or more haptic feedback, audiblefeedback or other feedback elements that may generate one or morevibrations or sounds when a user approaches or breaches a virtualboundary of a virtual reality system accordingly.

The systems and methods of the present disclosure are not limited to theuse of carpets, mats or like coverings having sensors embedded thereinor fiducial markings borne thereon. For example, the sensors and/orfiducial markings of the present disclosure may be provided in one ormore areas of an actual environment with or without such surfaces orcoverings. Moreover, such coverings need not be applied to floors orother like surfaces of an actual environment. Conversely, such coveringsmay be mounted, hung or otherwise applied vertically, or atnon-horizontal angles, within the actual environment. One or morevirtual boundaries of an operating area may be determined based onpositions of such sensors and/or fiducial markings regardless of themanner or techniques in which such sensors and/or fiducial markings areapplied within an actual environment in accordance with the presentdisclosure.

Referring to FIG. 2, a block diagram of components of one system 200 inaccordance with embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. Exceptwhere otherwise noted, reference numerals preceded by the number “2”shown in the block diagram of FIG. 2 indicate components or featuresthat are similar to components or features having reference numeralspreceded by the number “1” shown in the system 100 of FIGS. 1A through1E.

As is shown in FIG. 2, the system 200 includes a marketplace 210, anoperating surface 220, a virtual reality unit 230 and a base station 260connected to a network 290 that may include the Internet, in whole or inpart. The marketplace 210 may be any entity or individual that wishes tomake items from a variety of sources (e.g., manufacturers, merchants,sellers or vendors) available for download, purchase, rent, lease orborrowing by customers using a networked computer infrastructure,including one or more physical computer servers 212 and data stores 214(e.g., databases) for hosting a network site 216. The network site 216may be implemented using the one or more servers 212, which connect orotherwise communicate with the one or more data stores 214 as well aswith one or more external computer devices over the network 290, throughthe sending and receiving of digital data. Moreover, the data store 214may include any type of information regarding items that have been madeavailable for sale through the marketplace 210, or ordered by customersfrom the marketplace 210, or any information or data regarding thedelivery of such items to such customers, e.g., by any individuals ormachines, including but not limited to manned or unmanned carriers suchas cars, trucks, trailers, freight cars, container ships or cargoaircraft (e.g., manned aircraft or unmanned aircraft, such as drones).In some embodiments, the data store 214 may include information, data,programs and/or instructions for providing one or more virtual realityexperiences, and such information, data programs and/or instructions maybe accessed by one or more of the operating surface 220, the virtualreality unit 230, or the base station 260, as appropriate.

The server 212 may operate one or more order processing and/orcommunication systems and/or software applications having one or moreuser interfaces, or communicate with one or more other computing devicesor machines that may be connected to the network 290, for any otherpurpose. For example, the server 212 may operate or provide access toone or more reporting systems for receiving or displaying information ordata regarding virtual reality experiences provided by one or more ofthe virtual reality unit 230 and/or the base station 260. The server 212may be a general-purpose device or machine, or a dedicated device ormachine that features any form of input and/or output peripherals suchas scanners, readers, keyboards, keypads, touchscreens or like devices,and may further operate or provide access to one or more engines foranalyzing the information or data regarding the orders, or interactionsreceived from the one or more operators, users, workers or persons.

The marketplace 210 may be physically or virtually associated with oneor more storage or distribution facilities, such as a fulfillmentcenter, a warehouse, a bricks-and-mortar retail establishment, or anyother like facilities. Such facilities may be adapted to receive, store,process and/or distribute items, and may include any number of stationsfor receiving, storing and distributing items to customers, includingbut not limited to one or more receiving stations, storage areas and/ordistribution stations. Additionally, such facilities may further includeany number of associated servers, data stores, processors or likecomputer components, any of which may connect or otherwise communicateover the network 290 through the sending and receiving of digital data,or in any other manner. In some embodiments, the marketplace 210 maymake available one or more virtual reality experiences over the network290, e.g., via the network site 216, or via one or more dedicatedshopping applications that may connect to the marketplace 210 over thenetwork 290.

The operating surface 220 may comprise one or more layers or substratesformed from materials that may be utilized in connection with one ormore virtual reality experiences, including but not limited to virtualreality experiences operated or supported by one or more of the virtualreality unit 230 and/or one or more of the base station 260. As is shownin FIG. 2, the operating surface 220 may include one or more sensors222-1, 222-2 . . . 222-a, one or more feedback devices 224 and one ormore power supplies 226.

The layers or substrates of the operating surface 220 may be formed fromany number, type or form of materials. In some embodiments, theoperating surface 220 may be formed from materials that aretraditionally associated with floor coverings such as carpets, mats,drop cloths, tarps or sheets, or wall or window dressings such ascurtains, including but not limited to natural or synthetic materialssuch as wools, nylons, polypropylenes, polyesters, rubbers, acrylics,cottons, linens, and others. In some embodiments, the operating surface220 may include a single layer or substrate of such materials, or aplurality of such layers or substrates, which may be formed from thesame materials or from different materials, and may have the samethicknesses or different thicknesses. For example, in some embodiments,the operating surface 220 may include an upper layer or substrate, or apile, having unique textures or feels that may be sensed by feet orother body parts of a user, as well as one or more substrates orsublayers joined to the upper layer (or pile), and form an interfacewith a floor or other surface to which the operating surface 220 isapplied. Additionally, the operating surface 220 may further include oneor more features for enabling the operating surface 220 to be applied ormounted, including but not limited to a rubber base for reducing therisk of slippage by users of the operating surface 220, or one or moreholes or hooks for hanging the operating surface 220 to a wall or otherstructure.

The sensors 222-1, 222-2 . . . 222-a may be any devices or systemcomponents configured for transmitting and/or receiving one or moresignals according to any protocol, and for determining or indicatingtheir respective positions based on one or more of such signals. Forexample, each of the sensors 222-1, 222-2 . . . 222-a may be configuredto transmit signals to one or more of the virtual reality unit 230and/or the base station 260, or another system unit or component, or toreceive signals from one or more of the virtual reality unit 230 and/orthe base station 260, or other units or components, in order to enablethe virtual reality unit 230 or the base station 260 to determine thepositions of each of such sensors 222-1, 222-2 . . . 222-a based on therespective signals.

In some embodiments, the sensors 222-1, 222-2 . . . 222-a may beconfigured to emit and/or capture visible and/or invisible light of anywavelength or frequency, and to determine or indicate their respectivepositions based on the emission and capture of such light. For example,the sensors 222-1, 222-2 . . . 222-a may include one or more photodiodesthat are sensitive to light at one or more discrete wavelengths orfrequencies (e.g., infrared light), or one or more light-emitting diodes(“LED”) that are configured to emit light at such wavelengths orfrequencies. In some embodiments, the sensors 222-1, 222-2 . . . 222-amay include one or more retroreflectors that are configured to receivelight from a source and reflect the light back to the source. Any typeof light transmitter and/or receiver may be used in accordance with thesensors 222-1, 222-2 . . . 222-a of the present disclosure.

In some embodiments, the sensors 222-1, 222-2 . . . 222-a may beconfigured to emit and/or capture acoustic signals of any intensity orwithin any frequency spectra, and to determine or indicate theirrespective positions based on the emission and capture of such signals.For example, where the sensors 222-1, 222-2 . . . 222-a include aplurality of speakers or microphones, the sensors 222-1, 222-2 . . .222-a may capture one or more acoustic signals transmitted by thevirtual reality unit 230 and/or the base station 260, or may transmitone or more acoustic signals to the virtual reality unit 230 and/or thebase station 260, and patterns of one or more of the acoustic signalsmay be processed in order to determine times of flight of such signals,or to triangulate directions to or positions of the respective sensors222-1, 222-2 . . . 222-a based on such signals. In such embodiments, theacoustic signals transmitted and/or received by the sensors 222-1, 222-2. . . 222-a may be beyond the audible ranges of humans or other animals.

In some embodiments, the sensors 222-1, 222-2 . . . 222-a may beconfigured to transmit and/or receive Wireless Fidelity (“Wi-Fi”),signals, Bluetooth® signals, or any type or form of signals within anyfrequency spectra. Each of the sensors 222-1, 222-2 . . . 222-a mayfeature or access one or more processors, memory components and/or powersources for transmitting or receiving signals therefrom. For example,one or more of the sensors 222-1, 222-2 . . . 222-a may beBluetooth®-enabled components that may pair with the virtual realityunit 230 and/or the base station 260, and positions of the sensors222-1, 222-2 . . . 222-a may be determined based on the strengths of thesignals transmitted between the sensors 222-1, 222-2 . . . 222-a and thevirtual reality unit 230 and/or the base station 260. Where the sensors222-1, 222-2 . . . 222-a and/or the virtual reality unit 230 or the basestation 260 are Wi-Fi-enabled, or include one or more radiofrequencyidentification (or “RFID”) transmitters or readers, positions of suchsensors with respect to the virtual reality unit 230 and/or the basestation 260 may be determined in a similar manner.

In some embodiments, each of the sensors 222-1, 222-2 . . . 222-a may beconfigured to transmit the same signal, or a similar signal,simultaneously or at different intervals. In some other embodiments,each of the sensors 222-1, 222-2 . . . 222-a may be configured totransmit different signals, e.g., unique signals encoded with any typeor form of information, data or metadata, such as an identifier of therespective one of the sensors 222-1, 222-2 . . . 222-a from which suchsignals were transmitted.

As is also shown in FIG. 2, the operating surface 220 may furtherinclude one or more feedback devices 224 and one or more power supplies226. In some embodiments, the feedback devices 224 may include one ormore audio speakers, e.g., physical components that may be automaticallycontrolled or configured to transmit audible messages, signals orsounds. In some other embodiments, the feedback devices 224 may includeone or more haptic vibrators, e.g., physical components that may beautomatically controlled or configured to generate tactile vibrations ofany frequency or intensity. In some embodiments, the feedback devices224 may further include one or more components that may be configured toemit or radiate one or more discrete odors, or to cause a user toexperience one or more discrete tastes.

Additionally, the power supplies 226 may be one or more batteries orother power cells for powering one or more of the sensors 222-1, 222-2 .. . 222-a or the feedback devices 224, e.g., dry cell or wet cellbatteries such as lead-acid batteries, lithium ion batteries, nickelcadmium batteries or nickel metal hydride batteries, or any other type,size or form of batteries, and may each have any cell voltages, peakload currents, charge times, specific energies, internal resistances orcycle lives, or other power ratings. The power supply 226 may also beany other type, size or form of power source, e.g., other than abattery, including but not limited to one or more fuel cells or solarcells, and may be sources of alternating current (AC) and/or directcurrent (DC) power at any voltage levels. In some embodiments, theoperating surface 220 may have a single power supply 226 for poweringeach of the sensors 222-1, 222-2 . . . 222-a and/or feedback devices224. In some embodiments, one or more of the sensors 222-1, 222-2 . . .222-a and/or the feedback devices 224 may include respective powersupplies 226. Additionally, in some embodiments, the power supply 226may be external to the operating surface 220. For example, the operatingsurface 220 may be configured to plug into an electrical outlet or otherport associated with the power supply 226.

The operating surface 220 may further include one or more fiducialmarkings disposed on an upper layer (e.g., a pile) thereof, such as thefiducial marking 125 provided on the upper layer 121 of the operatingsurface 120 of FIG. 1A. The fiducial markings may be any type or form ofvisible indicator such as one or more colors, patterns, logos,alphanumeric characters, symbols, images, or others, and which have anappearance that generates a visible contrast with an appearance of afloor or other surface to which the operating surface 220 is applied. Insome embodiments, the operating surface 220 may include a fiducialmarking, but need not include any of the sensors 222-1, 222-2 . . .222-a, the feedback devices 224 or the power supplies 226. In some otherembodiments, the operating surface 220 may include one or more of thesensors 222-1, 222-2 . . . 222-a, the feedback devices 224 or the powersupplies 226, but need not include a fiducial marking. In still otherembodiments, such as the operating surface 120 of FIGS. 1A through 1E,the operating surface 220 may include both a fiducial marking and one ormore of the sensors 222-1, 222-2 . . . 222-a, the feedback devices 224or the power supplies 226. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the sensors222-1, 222-2 . . . 222-a need not be connected to any underlying layersor substrates, and may be independently distributed or mounted to one ormore floors or other surfaces by other means.

The virtual reality unit 230 includes a plurality of sensors 232-1 . . .232-b, a left eye display 240-L, a right eye display 240-R, a left eyeimaging device 242-L and a right eye imaging device 242-R. In someembodiments, the virtual reality unit 230 may include a frame adaptedfor mounting on a human head. In some embodiments, the frame may definea cavity having openings to be aligned with a wearer's eyes when theframe is mounted on his or her head. Such a frame may be formed from anytype or form of material such as one or more rubbers, woven or non-wovenfabrics, plastics, composites, leathers, papers (e.g., cardboards) orthe like that may be molded or shaped and configured for contact oralignment with left and right eyes of the user, respectively. In someembodiments, the virtual reality unit 230 may further include a strapfor mounting the frame about a head and/or face of a user. The strap maybe formed from any suitable material that may flexibly mate the framewith the head or face of the user, including but not limited to rubbers,woven or non-woven fabrics, plastics (e.g., polyesters, nylons),composites, leathers, papers (e.g., cardboards) or the like.Alternatively, where a strap is not provided, a frame may be manuallypressed against or aligned with the head or face of the user. In someembodiments, the frame need not be adapted for mounting on a human head.

The sensors 232-1 . . . 232-b may include one or more of the samecomponents as the sensors 222-1, 222-2 . . . 222-a of the operatingsurface 220, or, alternatively, one or more additional or differentcomponents. Additionally, the sensors 232-1 . . . 232-b may operateaccording to the same protocol as the sensors 222-1, 222-2 . . . 222-a,or according to different protocols. For example, the sensors 232-1 . .. 232-b may include one or more imaging devices (e.g., visual camerasand/or depth cameras), infrared emitters or receivers, acoustic emittersor receivers, Wi-Fi-enabled devices, Bluetooth®-enabled devices,RFID-enabled devices or the like. Thus, the virtual reality unit 230 maybe configured to locate and track the operating surface 220 and the basestation 260 in the same manner, or in different manners, based oninformation or data transmitted or received by the respective sensors222-1, 222-2 . . . 222-a and the sensors 232-1 . . . 232-b provided inthe operating surface 220 and the virtual reality unit 230.

The left eye display 240-L and the right eye display 240-R may bemounted in alignment with the left eye and the right eye, respectively,of a user of the virtual reality unit 230, e.g., to a pair of glasses orgoggles, or within a cavity defined by a headset, and may incorporateany number of active or passive display technologies or systems. Forexample, the left eye display 240-L or the right eye display 240-R, mayinclude or comprise one or more electronic ink systems, liquid crystaldisplays (or “LCD”), light-emitting diode (or “LED”) or organiclight-emitting diode (or “OLED”) displays, cathode ray tubes (or “CRT”),plasma displays, electrophoretic displays, image projectors, or otherdisplay mechanisms including but not limited to micro-electromechanicalsystems (or “MEMS”), spatial light modulators, electroluminescentdisplays, quantum dot displays, liquid crystal on silicon (or “LCOS”)displays, cholesteric displays, interferometric displays or others. Suchdisplays may be configured to emit light, to modulate incident lightemitted from another source, or both.

The left eye imaging device 242-L and the right eye imaging device 242-Rmay include or comprise any form of optical recording sensor or devicethat may be used to photograph or otherwise record information or dataregarding the position, movement, alignment or orientation of the lefteye and the right eye, respectively, or any other relevant informationor data regarding the left eye and the right eye. For example, the lefteye imaging device 242-L or the right eye imaging device 242-R may beany type or form of digital camera configured to capture color-basedinformation or data regarding the left eye and the right eye, includingbut not limited to the positions and orientations of the cornea, pupil,lens and retina of each of the left eye and the right eye.Alternatively, the left eye imaging device 242-L or the right eyeimaging device 242-R may be any type or form of depth sensor or rangecamera configured to capture depth-based or range-based informationregarding the positions and orientations of the cornea, pupil, lens andretina of each of the left eye and the right eye, e.g., based on visibleor invisible light (e.g., infrared light or radiation) reflected fromthe left eye or the right eye. The left eye imaging device 242-L or theright eye imaging device 242-R may also include any number of sensors,memory or storage components, processors or other features forcapturing, analyzing or storing imaging data captured by such imagingdevices.

The virtual reality unit 230 also includes a network transceiver 244that may functionally join one or more of the left eye display 240-L,the right eye display 240-R, the left eye imaging device 242-L and theright eye imaging device 242-R with one another, or may functionallyjoin the virtual reality unit 230 with one or more systems, devices orcomponents, including but not limited to the marketplace 210, the basestation 260, or one or more other external computer systems, devices orcomponents over the network 290, through the sending and receiving ofdigital data. The network transceiver 244 may be configured to enablethe virtual reality unit 230 to communicate through one or more wired orwireless means, e.g., wired technologies such as Universal Serial Bus(or “USB”) or fiber optic cable, or standard wireless protocols such asBluetooth® or any Wireless Fidelity (or “Wi-Fi”) protocol.

The virtual reality unit 230 further includes one or more memory orstorage components 246, one or more computer processors 248 foranalyzing, modifying and/or storing any imaging data that may becaptured using the left eye imaging device 242-L or the right eyeimaging device 242-R or displayed upon the left eye display 240-L andthe right eye display 240-R, or for performing any other functionassociated with the operation and use of the virtual reality unit 230,including but not limited to controlling the transmission and/or receiptof signals by one or more of the sensors 232-1 . . . 232-b.

The virtual reality unit 230 may include some or all of the componentsshown in FIG. 2, or additional components. For example, in someembodiments, the virtual reality unit 230 may be a hand-held controllerhaving one or more of the sensors 232-1 . . . 232-b, the networktransceiver 244, the memory components 246 and/or the computerprocessors 248, along with any other interactive features, such asbuttons, switches or other features. In such embodiments, the virtualreality unit 230 may be used in virtual reality experiences that requiremotion, gestures or other activity with the hands, such as virtualsimulations of golf, tennis, baseball or the like. Where the virtualreality unit 230 is configured for use by hand, the virtual reality unit230 may but need not include or feature any of the displays 240-L, 240-Ror imaging devices 242-L, 242-R. Additionally, in some embodiments, oneor more of the sensors 232-1 . . . 232-b may be affixed or worn by oneor more parts of a human body.

The base station 260 includes a plurality of sensors 262-1 . . . 262-c,one or more infrared transceivers 270, one or more imaging devices 272,a network transceiver 274, one or more memory or storage components 276,and one or more computer processors 278. The base station 260 may beprovided in the form of a stationary or mobile console or unit that maybe placed, installed and/or mounted to one or more surfaces of anenvironment in which the system 200 is to be operated.

The sensors 262-1 . . . 262-c may include one or more of the samecomponents as the sensors 222-1, 222-2 . . . 222-a of the operatingsurface 220 or the sensors 232-1 . . . 232-b of the virtual reality unit230, or, alternatively, one or more additional or different components.Additionally, the sensors 262-1 . . . 262-c may operate according to thesame protocol as the sensors 222-1, 222-2 . . . 222-a or the sensors232-1 . . . 232-b, or according to different protocols. For example, thesensors 262-1 . . . 262-c may include one or more imaging devices (e.g.,visual cameras and/or depth cameras), infrared emitters or receivers,acoustic emitters or receivers, Wi-Fi enabled devices,Bluetooth®-enabled devices. Thus, the base station 260 may be configuredto locate and track the operating surface 220 and the virtual realityunit 230 in the same manner, or in different manners, based oninformation or data transmitted or received by the respective sensors222-1, 222-2 . . . 222-a, the sensors 232-1 . . . 232-b and the sensors262-1 . . . 262-c provided in the operating surface 220, the virtualreality unit 230 and the base station 260.

The infrared transceiver 270 may be any devices or components that areconfigured to transmit and receive one or more infrared signals, and tointerpret information, data or metadata included in such signals. Forexample, the infrared transceiver 270 may include one or more powersupplies, processors, resistors, circuit components, substrates, boards,optical elements or the like. The infrared transceiver 270 may include atransmitting component, e.g., a light-emitting diode (or “LED”), and areceiving component, e.g., a photodiode. The infrared transceiver 270may be configured to transmit and receive infrared signals according toany protocol or standard, including but not limited to one or moreprotocols or standards promulgated by the Infrared Data Association(“IrDA”). In some embodiments, the operating surface 220 and/or thevirtual reality unit 230 may also include one or more infraredtransceivers configured to operate according to the same protocol as theinfrared transceiver 270, or according to one or more other protocols.For example, one or more of the sensors 222-1, 222-2 . . . 222-a or thesensors 232-1 . . . 232-b of the operating surface 220 or the virtualreality unit 230, respectively, may be or include one or more infraredtransceivers. Moreover, the operating surface 220, the virtual realityunit 230 and/or the base station 260 may be configured to communicateaccording to protocols or standards other than infrared communication.

The imaging device 272 may be any form of optical recording sensor ordevice (e.g., digital cameras, depth sensors or range cameras, infraredcameras, radiographic cameras or other optical sensors) that may beconfigured to photograph or otherwise capture visual information or data(e.g., still or moving images in color or black and white that may becaptured at any frame rates, or depth imaging data such as ranges), orassociated audio information or data, or metadata, regarding objects oractivities occurring within a vicinity of the base station 260, or forany other purpose. For example, the imaging device 272 may be configuredto capture or detect reflected light if the reflected light is within afield of view of the imaging device 272, which is defined as a functionof a distance between an imaging sensor and a lens within the imagingdevice 272, viz., a focal length, as well as a location of the imagingdevice 272 and an angular orientation of the lens. Accordingly, where anobject appears within a depth of field, or a distance within the fieldof view where the clarity and focus is sufficiently sharp, the imagingdevice 272 may capture light that is reflected off objects of any kindto a sufficiently high degree of resolution using one or more sensorsthereof, and store information regarding the reflected light in one ormore data files.

The imaging device 272 may also include manual or automatic features formodifying a field of view or orientation. For example, the imagingdevice 272 may be configured with a fixed focal length (e.g.,fixed-focus lenses) or angular orientation. Alternatively, the imagingdevice 272 may include one or more actuated or motorized features foradjusting a focal length (e.g., zooming the imaging device) or anangular orientation (e.g., the roll angle, the pitch angle or the yawangle) of the imaging device 272, such as by causing a change in thedistance between the imaging sensor and the lens (e.g., optical zoomlenses or digital zoom lenses).

Imaging data (e.g., still or moving images, as well as associated audiodata or metadata) captured using the imaging device 272 may be processedaccording to any number of recognition techniques. In some embodiments,edges, contours, outlines, colors, textures, silhouettes, shapes orother characteristics of objects, or portions of objects, expressed instill or moving digital images may be identified using one or morealgorithms or machine-learning tools. The objects or portions of objectsmay be stationary or in motion, and may be identified at single, finiteperiods of time, or over one or more periods or durations. Suchalgorithms or tools may be directed to recognizing and markingtransitions (e.g., the edges, contours, outlines, colors, textures,silhouettes, shapes or other characteristics of objects or portionsthereof) depicted within the digital images as closely as possible, andin a manner that minimizes noise and disruptions, and does not createfalse transitions. Some detection algorithms or techniques that may beutilized in order to recognize characteristics of objects or portionsthereof depicted in digital images in accordance with the presentdisclosure include, but are not limited to, Canny edge detectors oralgorithms; Sobel operators, algorithms or filters; Kayyali operators;Roberts edge detection algorithms; Prewitt operators; Frei-Chen methods;or any other algorithms or techniques that may be known to those ofordinary skill in the pertinent arts.

The network transceiver 274 may be configured to enable the base station260 to communicate through one or more wired or wireless means, e.g.,wired technologies such as Universal Serial Bus (or “USB”) or fiberoptic cable, or standard wireless protocols such as Bluetooth® or anyWireless Fidelity (or “Wi-Fi”) protocol. The base station 260 furtherincludes one or more memory or storage components 276, one or morecomputer processors 278 for performing any function associated with theoperation and use of the virtual reality unit 230, including but notlimited to controlling the transmission and/or receipt of signals by oneor more of the sensors 222-1, 222-2 . . . 222-a or the sensors 232-1 . .. 232-b.

The base station 260 may also include any other input/output features orperipherals such as scanners, readers, keyboards, keypads, touchscreensor like devices, and may further operate or provide access to one ormore engines for analyzing information or data captured by one or moresensors. In addition to the sensors 262-1 . . . 262-c, the infraredtransceiver 270, the imaging device 272, the network transceiver 274,the memory components 276 and/or the processors 278, the base station260 may further include any number of other sensors or components,including but not limited to a bar code scanner, a radiofrequencyidentification (or RFID) reader, a presence detection sensor and/or amotion sensor, as well as one or more speedometers, thermometers,barometers, hygrometers, gyroscopes, air monitoring sensors (e.g.,oxygen, ozone, hydrogen, carbon monoxide or carbon dioxide sensors),ozone monitors, pH sensors, magnetic anomaly detectors, radiationsensors (e.g., Geiger counters, neutron detectors, alpha detectors), orranging sensors (e.g., radar or LIDAR ranging sensors).

The network 290 may be any wired network, wireless network, orcombination thereof, and may comprise the Internet in whole or in part.In addition, the network 290 may be a personal area network, local areanetwork, wide area network, cable network, satellite network, cellulartelephone network, or combination thereof. The network 290 may also be apublicly accessible network of linked networks, possibly operated byvarious distinct parties, such as the Internet. In some embodiments, thenetwork 290 may be a private or semi-private network, such as acorporate or university intranet. The network 290 may include one ormore wireless networks, such as a Global System for MobileCommunications (GSM) network, a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA)network, a Long-Term Evolution (LTE) network, or some other type ofwireless network. Protocols and components for communicating via theInternet or any of the other aforementioned types of communicationnetworks are well known to those skilled in the art of computercommunications and thus, need not be described in more detail herein.

Although FIG. 2 is shown as including a single box corresponding to onemarketplace 210, a single box corresponding to one operating surface220, a single box corresponding to one virtual reality unit 230 and asingle box corresponding to one base station 260, those of ordinaryskill in the pertinent arts will recognize that the system 200 mayinclude and/or utilize any number of marketplaces 210, operatingsurfaces 220, virtual reality units 230 and/or base stations 260 inaccordance with the present disclosure.

The server 212, the processors 248, 278 or one or more other computerdevices or machines, e.g., devices or machines that may be accessed overthe network 290, may be configured to execute any number of thefunctions, programs or algorithms for performing any of the tasks orachieving any of the objectives discussed above with regard to themarketplace 210, the virtual reality unit 230 and/or the base station260. Additionally, the server 212, the processors 248, 278 or one ormore other computer devices or machines, e.g., devices or machines thatmay be accessed over the network 290, may be configured to execute anynumber of functions, programs or algorithms for performing one or moreof the tasks or achieving one or more of the objectives disclosedherein.

The marketplace 210, the virtual reality unit 230 and/or the basestation 260 may use any web-enabled or Internet applications orfeatures, or any other client-server applications or features includingelectronic mail (or E-mail), or other messaging techniques, to connectto the network 290 or to communicate with one another, such as throughshort or multimedia messaging service (SMS or MMS) text messages, socialnetwork messages or the like. The data and/or computer executableinstructions, programs, firmware, software and the like (also referredto herein as “computer executable” components) described herein may bestored on a computer-readable medium that is within or accessible bycomputers or computer components such as the server 212, the processors248, 278 or any other computers or control systems utilized by themarketplace 210, the virtual reality unit 230 and/or the base station260, and having sequences of instructions which, when executed by aprocessor (e.g., a central processing unit, or “CPU”), cause theprocessor to perform all or a portion of the functions, services and/ormethods described herein. Such computer executable instructions,programs, software and the like may be loaded into the memory of one ormore computers using a drive mechanism associated with the computerreadable medium, such as a floppy drive, CD-ROM drive, DVD-ROM drive,network interface, or the like, or via external connections.

Some embodiments of the systems and methods of the present disclosuremay also be provided as a computer executable program product includinga non-transitory machine-readable storage medium having stored thereoninstructions (in compressed or uncompressed form) that may be used toprogram a computer (or other electronic device) to perform processes ormethods described herein. The machine-readable storage medium mayinclude, but is not limited to, hard drives, floppy diskettes, opticaldisks, CD-ROMs, DVDs, ROMs, RAMs, erasable programmable ROMs (“EPROM”),electrically erasable programmable ROMs (“EEPROM”), flash memory,magnetic or optical cards, solid-state memory devices, or other types ofmedia/machine-readable medium that may be suitable for storingelectronic instructions. Further, embodiments may also be provided as acomputer executable program product that includes a transitorymachine-readable signal (in compressed or uncompressed form). Examplesof machine-readable signals, whether modulated using a carrier or not,may include, but are not limited to, signals that a computer system ormachine hosting or running a computer program can be configured toaccess, or including signals that may be downloaded through the Internetor other networks.

As is discussed above, an operating area for a virtual reality systemmay be defined using an operating surface that is outfitted with aplurality of sensors, e.g., infrared sensors, and one or more virtualboundaries of the operating area may be established based on positionsand orientations of the sensors. Referring to FIG. 3, a flow chart 300of one process for defining an operating area for virtual realitysystems in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure isshown. At box 310, a user places an operating surface including aplurality of sensors arranged in a predetermined polygonal configurationat a desired location. For example, the sensors may include one or morephotodiodes disposed at predetermined points within the operatingsurface, and configured to transmit and/or receive one or more signalsin response to activation of one or more of the photodiodes by infraredlight or radiation at predetermined wavelengths or frequencies. Thesensors may be distributed throughout the operating surface, separatedby predetermined distances, or disposed within the operating surface atbuffers from edges of the operating surface, in any geometricconfiguration (e.g., rectangular, pentagonal, hexagonal or the like).The desired location may be any actual environment where the use of avirtual reality system is contemplated, including but not limited tospaces within dwellings, educational institutions, sports arenas, publicparks, or any other facilities that are temporarily or permanentlydedicated to the use of the virtual reality system. The operatingsurface may be laid down on a floor or other traveling or workingsurface, hung from a wall or other structure, or otherwise applied inany manner at the desired location. Alternatively, in some embodiments,a plurality of sensors may be installed at the desired location,independent of any operating surface.

At box 320, a base station determines positions of the plurality ofsensors. For example, in some embodiments, the base station maytransmit, flash or sweep infrared light or radiation across the desiredlocation at predetermined times, and the sensors may indicate theirrespective positions based on the times at which such sensors areactivated by the infrared light or radiation. The sensors may indicatetheir respective positions to the base station in any manner, and arenot limited to the use of infrared technology in determining suchpositions. Alternatively, the sensors may be configured to communicatewith a virtual reality unit such as a headset, or any other componentother than a base station. At box 325, the base station constructsvirtual boundaries based on the determined positions of the sensors. Thevirtual boundaries may be defined as planar or other geometric sectionsformed from a plurality of points in space, including but not limited topoints corresponding to the positions of at least two of the sensors. Insome embodiments, a virtual boundary may be defined or formed from linesegments, arcs or other sections (e.g., curvilinear sections) extendingbetween positions of two sensors, and rays extending vertically upwardfrom the positions of the two sensors, along with each of the pointsabove the line segments, the arcs or the other sections, and between therays. In some embodiments, the virtual boundary may have lower and/orupper bounds or limits, such that the virtual boundary begins orterminates at a predetermined height. In some embodiments, the virtualboundary may have side bounds or limits, such that the virtual boundarybegins or terminates at predetermined points. Where a virtual boundaryincludes one or more of such bounds or limits, an operating area maycontinue beyond such bounds or limits, such that users may reach above,below or to the sides of such bounds or limits. Such virtual boundariesmay be formed based on positions of any of the sensors. Alternatively,the virtual boundaries may be constructed based on one or more offsets,buffers or other set-offs with respect to positions of sensors. Forexample, when a position of a sensor is determined, a virtual boundarymay be defined based on the position of the sensor, or on the positionsof one or more points at any distance from the position of the sensor.

A virtual boundary may also be defined or formed in any other manner.For example, imaging data may be captured at the desired location, andone or more fiducial markings on the operating surface may be recognizedas being depicted therein. A virtual boundary may be defined based onpositions and/or orientations of the one or more fiducial markings,along with information or data regarding the positions of the sensors.

At box 330, the base station defines an operating area for a virtualreality system based on the virtual boundaries. For example, theoperating area may be defined to include the area of a floor or othersurface at the desired location, as well as a three-dimensional regionabove the floor and bounded by the virtual boundaries constructed at box325. Data representative of the operating area may thus includepositions of a plurality of points within the three-dimensional region.

At box 335, the base station searches for a virtual reality headsetwithin the operating area defined at box 330. For example, the headsetmay be outfitted with one or more sensors that may be the same type orform of sensors included in the operating surface, or different sensors,and the base station may be configured to determine the positions ofsuch sensors in the same manner that the base station determines thepositions of the sensors of the operating surface. In some embodiments,the headset and the operating surface may be outfitted with sensors thatinclude one or more light-emitting diodes (“LEDs”) and/or photodiodesdisposed at predetermined points, and configured to transmit and/orreceive one or more signals in response to activation of one or more ofthe photodiodes by infrared light or radiation at predeterminedwavelengths or frequencies. Any type or form of sensing system fordetermining a position of the headset with respect to the operating areadefined at box 330 may be utilized in accordance with the presentdisclosure.

At box 340, whether a headset is recognized within the defined operatingarea is determined. If a headset is not recognized within the definedoperating area, then the process advances to box 345, where the user isprompted to enter the defined operating area with the headset, beforereturning to box 335. For example, the user may be prompted by any formof audible feedback (e.g., in the form of tones, alarms or spoken textsuch as “please enter the operating area now”), visible feedback (e.g.,in the form of windows displayed on the virtual reality headset), hapticfeedback (e.g., vibrations) or one or more messages (e.g., SMS and/orMMS text messages, social network messages, E-mail), or any otherfeedback.

If a headset is recognized within the operating area, however, then theprocess advances to box 350, where the user is permitted to participatein a virtual reality experience within the defined operating area. Forexample, the virtual reality experience may include one or more videogames, virtual tours, news or educational programs, or any other contentrendered within a field of view of the user wearing the headset.

At box 360, whether the user has approached or breached a virtualboundary is determined, e.g., based on a sensed position of the headset,or sensed positions of one or more body parts of the user. If the userhas not approached or breached the virtual boundary, then the processreturns to box 350, where the user is permitted to participate in avirtual reality experience within the defined operating area. If theuser has approached or breached the virtual boundary, however, then theprocess advances to box 370, where the user is prompted to remain withinthe defined operating area.

At box 380, whether the virtual reality experience is complete isdetermined. If the virtual reality experience is not complete, then theprocess returns to box 350, where the user is permitted to participatein a virtual reality experience within the defined operating area. Ifthe virtual reality experience is complete, however, then the processends.

Referring to FIG. 4, a view of one operating surface in accordance withembodiments of the present disclosure is shown. Except where otherwisenoted, reference numerals preceded by the number “4” shown in FIG. 4indicate components or features that are similar to components orfeatures having reference numerals preceded by the number “2” shown inthe block diagram of FIG. 2 or by the number “1” shown in the system 100of FIGS. 1A through 1E.

As is shown in FIG. 4, an operating surface 420 in the form of a mat orother floor covering is shown. The operating surface 420 has asubstantially rectangular shape, with a length l_(M) and a width w_(M),and may be formed from any type or form of materials including but notlimited to one or more layers of natural or synthetic materials such aswools, nylons, polypropylenes, polyesters, rubbers, acrylics, cottons,linens, and others. Alternatively, the operating surface 420 may beconfigured for mounting in a non-horizontal configuration, e.g., byhanging the operating surface from a wall or other structure within anenvironment.

Additionally, as is shown in FIG. 4, the operating surface 420 includesa plurality of sensors 422-1, 422-2, 422-3, 422-4, 422-5, 422-6, 422-7,422-8, 422-9, 422-10, 422-11, 422-12 arranged about a perimeter of theoperating surface 420. For example, the sensors 422-1, 422-2, 422-3 aredisposed along a short side of the operating surface 420, and areseparated by a distance or interval d_(S). Likewise, the sensors 422-7,422-8, 422-9 are also disposed along a short side of the operatingsurface 420, and are also separated by a distance or interval d_(S). Thesensors 422-3, 422-4, 422-5, 422-6, 422-7 and the sensors 422-1, 422-12,422-11, 422-10, 422-9 are disposed along long sides of the operatingsurface 420, and are also separated by a distance or interval d_(S).Each of the sensors 422-1, 422-3, 422-7, 422-9 are provided near cornersof the operating surface 420, and are set off from the short sides by abuffer b_(I) and from the long sides by a buffer b_(w).

Components of the sensors 422-1, 422-2, 422-3, 422-4, 422-5, 422-6,422-7, 422-8, 422-9, 422-10, 422-11, 422-12 may be disposed on top of orbelow the operating surface 420, or between or within two or more layersor substrates of the operating surface 420. For example, where one ormore of the sensors 422-1, 422-2, 422-3, 422-4, 422-5, 422-6, 422-7,422-8, 422-9, 422-10, 422-11, 422-12 is an infrared sensor having one ormore photodiodes and/or or integrated circuits, the photodiodes may beinstalled in a manner that enables the photodiodes to extend through anupper layer (or pile) of the operating surface 420, while the integratedcircuit components remain disposed between two or more of the layers orsubstrates. The upper layer (or pile) of the operating surface 420 mayfurther have a plurality of fibers with a distinct texture or feel,thereby enabling a user to recognize when he or she is standing thereonbased on the texture or feel, and, conversely, when he or she hasdeparted therefrom based on the absence of the texture or feel.Additionally, the operating surface 420 may further include one or morefiducial markings provided on a visible surface of an upper or outermostlayer. The position and/or orientation of the fiducial markings may befurther utilized in constructing one or more virtual boundaries, and indefining an operating area based on such boundaries.

Although the operating surface 420 of FIG. 4 has the shape of arectangle, and although the sensors 422-1, 422-2, 422-3, 422-4, 422-5,422-6, 422-7, 422-8, 422-9, 422-10, 422-11, 422-12 are arranged in arectangular configuration, those of ordinary skill in the pertinent artswill recognize that the operating surfaces of the present disclosure maytake any shape or form, and may include any number of sensors providedin any configuration therein or thereon.

As is discussed above, an operating area for a virtual reality systemmay also be defined by an image-based analysis of one or more colors,patterns, logos or other fiducial markings provided on a surface in anenvironment where the virtual reality system is to be operated.Referring to FIG. 5, a flow chart 500 of one process for defining anoperating area for virtual reality systems in accordance withembodiments of the present disclosure is shown. At box 510, a userplaces an operating surface having one or more predefined fiducialmarkings thereon at a desired location. For example, the operatingsurface may include, on an upper or outermost layer, one or more colors,patterns, logos, alphanumeric characters, symbols, images, or others,and which have an appearance that generates a visible contrast with anappearance of a floor or other surface to which the operating surface isapplied.

At box 520, a base station recognizes one or more of the predefinedfiducial markings in imaging data captured thereby. For example, thebase station may be outfitted with one or more visual imaging devices(e.g., color or black-and-white cameras) that may be programmed tocapture and analyze one or more still or moving images, such as upon aninitial installation or activation of a virtual reality system, or atpredetermined times or intervals, e.g., to determine whether theconditions of the environment in which the base station is provided havechanged. One or more edges, contours, outlines, colors, textures,silhouettes, shapes or other characteristics of the fiducial markings,or portions of the fiducial markings, expressed in the images may beidentified using one or more algorithms or machine-learning tools. Suchalgorithms or tools may be directed to recognizing and markingtransitions (e.g., the edges, contours, outlines, colors, textures,silhouettes, shapes or other characteristics of fiducial markings orportions thereof) depicted within the digital images as closely aspossible, and in a manner that minimizes noise and disruptions, and doesnot create false transitions.

In some embodiments, detection algorithms or techniques that may beutilized in order to recognize characteristics of fiducial markings orportions thereof depicted in digital images in accordance with thepresent disclosure include, but are not limited to, Canny edge detectorsor algorithms; Sobel operators, algorithms or filters; Kayyalioperators; Roberts edge detection algorithms; Prewitt operators;Frei-Chen methods; or any other algorithms or techniques that may beknown to those of ordinary skill in the pertinent arts. In someembodiments, once the characteristics of the fiducial markings orportions thereof have been recognized in one or more digital images,such characteristics of the fiducial markings or portions thereof may bematched against information regarding edges, contours, outlines, colors,textures, silhouettes, shapes or other characteristics of known fiducialmarkings, which may be stored in one or more data stores. In thisregard, fiducial markings may be classified based at least in part onthe extent to which the characteristics identified in one or moredigital images correspond to one or more of the characteristics of theknown fiducial markings.

At box 525, the base station constructs one or more virtual boundariesbased on the predefined fiducial markings. For example, the virtualboundaries may be defined as planar or other geometric sections formedfrom a plurality of points in space, including but not limited to pointscorresponding to the positions of edges, contours, outlines, colors,textures, silhouettes, shapes or other characteristics of the fiducialmarkings or of the operating surface, as recognized in visible contrastwith features of the defined location. In some embodiments, a virtualboundary may be defined or formed from line segments, arcs or othersections (e.g., curvilinear sections) extending between positions of twosensors, and rays extending vertically upward from the positions of thetwo sensors, along with each of the points above the line segments, thearcs or the other sections, and between the rays. In some embodiments,the virtual boundary may have lower and/or upper bounds or limits, suchthat the virtual boundary begins or terminates at a predeterminedheight. In some embodiments, the virtual boundary may have side boundsor limits, such that the virtual boundary begins or terminates atpredetermined points. Where a virtual boundary includes one or more ofsuch bounds or limits, an operating area may continue beyond such boundsor limits, such that users may reach above, below or to the sides ofsuch bounds or limits. Such virtual boundaries may be formed based onpositions and/or orientations of any aspect of the fiducial markingsand/or the operating surface. Alternatively, the virtual boundaries maybe constructed based on one or more offsets, buffers or other set-offswith respect to the aspects of the fiducial markings. For example, whena position of an edge, a contour, an outline, a color, a texture, asilhouette, a shape or another characteristic of a fiducial marking isdetermined, a virtual boundary may be defined based on that position, oron the positions of one or more points at any distance from thatposition.

A virtual boundary may also be defined or formed in any other manner.For example, the operating surface may include a plurality of sensorsthat are configured to communicate with the base station and/or one ormore components of a virtual reality system. A virtual boundary may bedefined based on positions of one or more sensors, along withinformation or data regarding the positions and/or orientations of theone or more fiducial markings.

At box 530, the base station defines an operating area for a virtualreality system based on the virtual boundaries. For example, theoperating area may be defined to include the area of a floor or othersurface at the desired location, as well as a three-dimensional regionabove the floor and bounded by the virtual boundaries constructed at box525. Data representative of the operating area may thus includepositions of a plurality of points within the three-dimensional region.

At box 535, the base station searches for a virtual reality headsetwithin the operating area defined at box 530. For example, the headsetmay be outfitted with one or more sensors, e.g., infrared sensors, andthe base station may be configured to determine the positions of suchsensors with respect to the operating area. In some embodiments, theheadset may be outfitted with sensors that include one or morelight-emitting diodes (“LEDs”) and/or photodiodes disposed atpredetermined points, and configured to transmit and/or receive one ormore signals in response to activation of one or more of the photodiodesby infrared light or radiation at predetermined wavelengths orfrequencies. Any type or form of sensing system for determining aposition of the headset with respect to the operating area defined atbox 530 may be utilized in accordance with the present disclosure.

At box 540, whether a headset is recognized within the defined operatingarea is determined. If a headset is not recognized within the definedoperating area, then the process advances to box 545, where the user isprompted to enter the defined operating area with the headset, beforereturning to box 535. For example, the user may be prompted by any formof audible feedback (e.g., in the form of tones, alarms or spoken textsuch as “please enter the operating area now”), visible feedback (e.g.,in the form of windows displayed on the virtual reality headset), hapticfeedback (e.g., vibrations) or one or more messages (e.g., SMS and/orMMS text messages, social network messages, E-mail), or any otherfeedback.

If a headset is recognized within the operating area, however, then theprocess advances to box 550, where the user is permitted to participatein a virtual reality experience within the defined operating area. Forexample, the virtual reality experience may include one or more videogames, virtual tours, news or educational programs, or any other contentrendered within a field of view of the user wearing the headset.

At box 560, whether the user has approached or breached a virtualboundary is determined, e.g., based on a sensed position of the headset,or sensed positions of one or more body parts of the user. If the userhas not approached or breached the virtual boundary, then the processreturns to box 550, where the user is permitted to participate in avirtual reality experience within the defined operating area. If theuser has approached or breached the virtual boundary, however, then theprocess advances to box 570, where the user is prompted to remain withinthe defined operating area.

At box 580, whether the virtual reality experience is complete isdetermined. If the virtual reality experience is not complete, then theprocess returns to box 550, where the user is permitted to participatein a virtual reality experience within the defined operating area. Ifthe virtual reality experience is complete, however, then the processends.

Referring to FIG. 6, a view of one operating surface in accordance withembodiments of the present disclosure is shown. Except where otherwisenoted, reference numerals preceded by the number “6” shown in FIG. 6indicate components or features that are similar to components orfeatures having reference numerals preceded by the number “4” shown inFIG. 4, by the number “2” shown in the block diagram of FIG. 2 or by thenumber “1” shown in the system 100 of FIGS. 1A through 1E.

As is shown in FIG. 6, an operating surface 620 in the form of a mat orother floor covering is shown. The operating surface 620 has asubstantially rectangular shape, with a length l_(M) and a width w_(M),and may be formed from any type or form of materials including but notlimited to one or more layers or substrates of natural or syntheticmaterials such as wools, nylons, polypropylenes, polyesters, rubbers,acrylics, cottons, linens, and others. Alternatively, the operatingsurface 620 may be configured for mounting in a non-horizontalconfiguration, e.g., by hanging the operating surface from a wall orother structure within an environment.

Additionally, as is shown in FIG. 6, the operating surface 620 includesa fiducial marking 625 comprising a plurality of alphanumeric charactersand other symbols, logos or icons provided on a visible surface of anupper layer of the operating surface 620. The fiducial marking 625 has alength l_(L) and a width w_(L), and is applied upon the operatingsurface 620 at buffers b_(W) from the long sides of the operatingsurface 620 and at buffers b_(L) from the short sides of the operatingsurface 620.

The fiducial marking 625 of the operating surface 620 is intended togenerate a visual contrast with an environment in which the operatingsurface 620 is provided. For example, when the operating surface 620 isapplied to a floor or other traveling or working surface within anenvironment, or hung from a wall or other structure within theenvironment, the fiducial marking 625 may be readily recognized as beingdepicted in imaging data captured by one or more imaging devices of avirtual reality system. Such imaging devices may be provided in avirtual reality headset, a base station, or any other component thereof.The upper layer (or pile) of the operating surface 620 may further havea plurality of fibers with a distinct texture or feel, thereby enablinga user to recognize when he or she is standing thereon based on thetexture or feel, and, conversely, when he or she has departed therefrombased on the absence of the texture or feel. Additionally, the operatingsurface 620 may further include one or more sensors, e.g., infraredsensors having one or more photodiodes and/or integrated circuits,provided therein or thereon. The positions of such sensors, asdetermined by one or more components of a virtual reality system, may befurther utilized in constructing one or more virtual boundaries, and indefining an operating area based on such boundaries.

An operating area having one or more virtual boundaries may be definedbased on the positions and/or orientations of one or more sensors, asdetermined by components of a virtual reality system (e.g., a virtualreality headset and/or a base station). Such positions and orientationsmay be compared to information or data regarding known operatingsurfaces, which may be stored in one or more data stores, and anoperating area for the virtual reality system may be definedaccordingly. Referring to FIG. 7, a view of aspects of one virtualreality system in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosureis shown. Except where otherwise noted, reference numerals preceded bythe number “7” shown in FIG. 7 indicate components or features that aresimilar to components or features having reference numerals preceded bythe number “6” shown in FIG. 6, by the number “4” shown in FIG. 4, bythe number “2” shown in the block diagram of FIG. 2 or by the number “1”shown in the system 100 of FIGS. 1A through 1E.

As is shown in FIG. 7, a virtual reality system 700 includes anoperating surface 720 in the form of a mat or other floor covering and abase station 760 or other virtual reality system component. Theoperating surface 720 has a substantially rectangular shape, with alength l and a width w, and may be formed from any type or form ofmaterials including but not limited to one or more layers or substratesof natural or synthetic materials such as wools, nylons, polypropylenes,polyesters, rubbers, acrylics, cottons, linens, and others.Additionally, as is shown in FIG. 7, the operating surface 720 includesa pair of sensors 722-1, 722-2, e.g., infrared sensors, provided indiscrete locations on the operating surface 720. Alternatively, theoperating surface 720 may be configured for mounting in a non-horizontalconfiguration, e.g., by hanging the operating surface from a wall orother structure within an environment where the virtual reality system700 is to be used.

As is shown in FIG. 7, the positions of the sensors 722-1, 722-2 may bedetermined based on signals received by the base station 760, which mayinclude one or more identifiers of the respective sensors 722-1, 722-2and/or the operating surface 720. The base station 760 may thendetermine a position and/or an orientation of the operating surface 720based on the positions of the sensors 722-1, 722-2, e.g., using one ormore records maintained in a data store 776 that may reside at the basestation 760 or in one or more alternate or virtual locations, e.g., in a“cloud”-based environment, and accessed over one or more networks.

From such records, an operating area 750 for the virtual reality system700 may be defined to include one or more virtual boundaries withrespect to the positions of the sensors 722-1, 722-2. For example, as isshown in FIG. 7, the operating area 750 is defined based on virtualboundaries having heights h₁, h₂ above positions of each of the sensors722-1, 722-2, which are separated by a distance d_(S), as well asbuffers b₁, b₂, b₃ with respect to the position of the sensor 722-1 andbuffers b₄, b₅, b₆ with respect to the position of the sensor 722-2. Insome embodiments, the operating floor may further include a virtualceiling and/or a virtual floor. Thus, once the operating surface 720 isapplied to a portion of a floor or other traveling or working surface,the base station 760 may construct the operating area 750 by simplyrecognizing the positions of the sensors 722-1, 722-2. Subsequently, ifthe operating surface 720 is relocated or repositioned with respect tothe base station 760, the new positions of the sensors 722-1, 722-2 maybe determined by the base station 760 and used to redefine the operatingarea 760 for the virtual reality system 700.

Therefore, in accordance with the present disclosure, an operating areafor a virtual reality system may be quickly and easily establishedwithout requiring a user to perform extensive calibration or set-upprocesses involving the performance of one or more gestures, motions oractions. The placement of an operating surface, such as the operatingsurface 720, in an environment where a virtual reality system is to beoperated and the recognition of positions and/or orientations of one ormore sensors therein ensures that the extent of the available space isrecognized by the virtual reality system. In some embodiments, thepositions and/or orientations of the sensors, and the virtual boundariesof the operating area, may be recognized in the same manner, and asquickly and efficiently, as one or more other components of the virtualreality system (e.g., a headset or other body sensor).

In accordance with the present disclosure, operating surfaces may takeany shape or form, and one or more sensors may be provided therein inany polygonal configuration or arrangement. Referring to FIGS. 8A and8B, views of some operating surfaces in accordance with embodiments ofthe present disclosure are shown. Except where otherwise noted,reference numerals preceded by the number “8” shown in FIG. 8A or 8Bindicate components or features that are similar to components orfeatures having reference numerals preceded by the number “7” shown inFIG. 7, by the number “6” shown in FIG. 6, by the number “4” shown inFIG. 4, by the number “2” shown in the block diagram of FIG. 2 or by thenumber “1” shown in the system 100 of FIGS. 1A through 1E.

As is shown in FIG. 8A, an operating surface 820A has a shape of acircle or other curved feature (e.g., ellipses, parabolas, hyperbolas orthe like). The operating surface 820A may be formed from any type orform of materials including but not limited to one or more layers orsubstrates of natural or synthetic materials such as wools, nylons,polypropylenes, polyesters, rubbers, acrylics, cottons, linens, andothers. As is also shown in FIG. 8A, the operating surface 820A furtherincludes five sensors 822-1A, 822-2A, 822-3A, 822-4A, 822-5A arrangedwithin or on the operating surface 820A in a shape of a regularpentagon. Accordingly, when the operating surface 820A is placed withinan operating range of a base station, a virtual reality headset oranother unit of a virtual reality system, an operating area 850A havinga plurality of virtual boundaries defined by the positions of thesensors 822-1A, 822-2A, 822-3A, 822-4A, 822-5A with respect to thevirtual reality unit may be defined and utilized by the virtual realitysystem. Moreover, the positions of the sensors 822-1A, 822-2A, 822-3A,822-4A, 822-5A may be used to determine an angle of orientation of theoperating surface 820A. For example, where the positions of the sensors822-1A, 822-2A, 822-3A, 822-4A, 822-5A are each within a common plane,the operating surface 820A may be presumed to be flat. Where one or moreof the sensors 822-1A, 822-2A, 822-3A, 822-4A, 822-5A is not within acommon plane, the operating surface 820A may be determined to not beflat, or to have one or more disruptions.

As is shown in FIG. 8B, an operating surface 820B has a shape of atriangle, and may also be formed from any type or form of materials. Asis also shown in FIG. 8B, the operating surface 820B further includesthree sensors 822-1B, 822-2B, 822-3B arranged within or on the operatingsurface 820B in the shape of an equilateral triangle. Accordingly, whenthe operating surface 820B is placed within an operating range of a basestation, a virtual reality headset or another unit of a virtual realitysystem, an operating area 850B having a plurality of virtual boundariesdefined by the positions of the sensors 822-1B, 822-2B, 822-3B withrespect to the virtual reality unit may be defined and utilized by thevirtual reality system.

Additionally, an operating surface may include one or more fiducialmarkings of any size or shape in accordance with the present disclosure.Referring to FIGS. 9A and 9B, views of some operating surfaces inaccordance with embodiments of the present disclosure are shown. Exceptwhere otherwise noted, reference numerals preceded by the number “9”shown in FIG. 9A or 9B indicate components or features that are similarto components or features having reference numerals preceded by thenumber “8” shown in FIG. 8A or 8B, by the number “7” shown in FIG. 7, bythe number “6” shown in FIG. 6, by the number “4” shown in FIG. 4, bythe number “2” shown in the block diagram of FIG. 2 or by the number “1”shown in the system 100 of FIGS. 1A through 1E.

As is shown in FIG. 9A, an operating surface 920A has a shape of arectangle, and may be formed from any type or form of materials, e.g.,natural or synthetic materials such as wools, nylons, polypropylenes,polyesters, rubbers, acrylics, cottons, linens, and others. Theoperating surface 920A further includes a plurality of fiducial markings925-1A, 925-2A, 925-3A on a visible surface of an upper layer (or pile)of the operating surface 920A.

When the operating surface 920A is placed within an environment where avirtual reality system is to be used, one or more of the fiducialmarkings 925-1A, 925-2A, 925-3A may be recognized as being depicted inimaging data that is captured by a base station, a virtual realityheadset or another unit of a virtual reality system, and an operatingarea for the virtual reality system may be defined accordingly. Suchimaging data may also be used to determine an angle at which theoperating surface 920A is provided, or whether the operating surface hasbeen applied to a non-horizontal surface having one or more disruptions.For example, when the operating surface 920A is applied atop an angledsurface (e.g., ramp) or atop a surface having one or morediscontinuities (e.g., a set of stairs), the fiducial markings 925-1A,925-2A, 925-3A will appear in a distorted fashion in imaging datacaptured by the virtual reality system. Moreover, because the fiducialmarkings 925-1A, 925-2A, 925-3A are similar shapes, an operating areamay be defined based on the extent to which each of the fiducialmarkings 925-1A, 925-2A, 925-3A appears flat and/or without distortionsin the imaging data. For example, where the operating surface 920A isapplied to a floor or other traveling or working surface that is flat,but has an area that is smaller than the fiducial marking 925-1A, andlarger than the fiducial marking 925-3A, the fiducial marking 925-1A mayappear in a distorted fashion in imaging data, e.g., as one or more ofthe edges of the operating surface 920A is crumpled, wrinkled or folded,while the fiducial marking 925-3A may appear clearly and withoutdistortions in the imaging data. Thus, an operating area may be definedfor a virtual reality system based on the innermost fiducial marking925-3A, within which a user may safely travel.

As is shown in FIG. 9B, an operating surface 920B has a shape of arectangle, and may be formed from any type or form of materials, e.g.,natural or synthetic materials such as wools, nylons, polypropylenes,polyesters, rubbers, acrylics, cottons, linens, and others. Theoperating surface 920B further includes a fiducial marking 925B in theform of a checkerboard pattern covering an entire visible surface of anupper layer (or pile) of the operating surface 920B.

When the operating surface 920B is placed within an environment where avirtual reality system is to be used, the fiducial marking 925B may berecognized as being depicted in imaging data that is captured by a basestation, a virtual reality headset or another unit of a virtual realitysystem, and an operating area for the virtual reality system may bedefined accordingly. Such imaging data may also be used to determine anangle at which the operating surface 920B is provided, or whether theoperating surface 920B has been applied to a non-horizontal surfacehaving one or more disruptions. For example, the alternating light anddark squares of the fiducial marking 925B may be expected to create avisual contrast within nearly any environment where the operatingsurface 920B is applied. Therefore, imaging data captured by a basestation, a virtual reality headset or another unit of a virtual realitysystem may be processed to recognize the checkerboard pattern depictedtherein, and one or more virtual boundaries may be generated based onthe location and the orientation of the operating surface 920B and thefiducial marking 925B within such an environment. An upper layer of theoperating surface 920B may also have a distinct texture or feel that mayindicate to a user that he or she is on the operating surface whileusing a virtual reality system, such as when his or her vision isobscured by a headset or other virtual reality system component.Conversely, when the user no longer experiences the distinct texture orfeel, the user may discern that he or she is no longer on the operatingsurface 920B.

In accordance with the present disclosure, the sensors and/or fiducialmarkings disclosed herein may be detected by any type or form of virtualreality unit having one or more corresponding sensors and/or imagingdevices, including one or more headsets or mobile devices, and need notbe used in conjunction with a fixed console, such as a base station.Referring to FIG. 10, a view of aspects of one virtual reality system inaccordance with embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. Exceptwhere otherwise noted, reference numerals preceded by the number “10”shown in FIG. 10 indicate components or features that are similar tocomponents or features having reference numerals preceded by the number“9” shown in FIG. 9A or 9B, by the number “8” shown in FIG. 8A or 8B, bythe number “7” shown in FIG. 7, by the number “6” shown in FIG. 6, bythe number “4” shown in FIG. 4, by the number “2” shown in the blockdiagram of FIG. 2 or by the number “1” shown in the system 100 of FIGS.1A through 1E.

As is shown in FIG. 10, a virtual reality system 1000 includes anoperating surface 1020 and a virtual reality headset 1030. The operatingsurface 1020 includes a pair of sensors 1022-1, 1022-2 disposed thereinor thereon. The virtual reality headset 1030 is shown as being worn by auser 1035 who is operating the virtual reality system 1000. The virtualreality headset 1030 includes a plurality of sensors 1032, e.g.,infrared sensors that may be configured to transmit and/or receiveinfrared signals and to determine positions of the sensors 1022-1,1022-2 based on such signals.

For example, as is shown in FIG. 10, the virtual reality headset 1030determines the positions of the sensors 1022-1, 1022-2, and generatesthe virtual boundaries 1052-1, 1052-2 based on the positions of thesensors 1022-1, 1022-2. The virtual boundaries 1052-1, 1052-2 may beused to define an operating area 1050 for the virtual reality system1000. Accordingly, the virtual reality headset 1030 may continue totrack its position with respect to the operating area 1050, and promptthe user 1035, e.g., by one or more visible or audio messages, or in anyother manner, if the user 1035 approaches or breaches one or more of thevirtual boundaries 1052-1, 1052-2.

Although the virtual reality headset 1030 is shown as having ahead-mounted or face-mounted frame and strap, those of ordinary skill inthe pertinent arts will recognize that any type or form of portablevirtual reality unit may be utilized in accordance with the presentdisclosure. For example, a virtual reality unit formed from a mobiledevice having one or more sensors and a temporary frame (e.g.,cardboard) that does not include a strap or is not configured for rigidmounting to the head or the face of the user may also be utilized.

As is discussed above, when one or more virtual boundaries or otherattributes of an environment are determined using one or more of thesensors and/or fiducial markings of the present disclosure, such virtualboundaries or attributes may be incorporated into a virtual realityexperience, thereby enabling a virtual reality system to customize thevirtual reality experience for a given environment. For example, whethera user intends to operate a virtual reality system indoors or outdoors,in an expansive auditorium or in a narrow hallway, in a wide open familyroom or in a low-ceiling basement, the systems and methods of thepresent disclosure may be utilized to define an operating area for thevirtual reality system so that any virtual reality experience operatedthereby may be appropriately tailored to the constraints of the actualenvironment in which the virtual reality system is to be utilized.

Referring to FIG. 11, a flow chart 1100 of one process for defining anoperating area for virtual reality systems in accordance withembodiments of the present disclosure is shown. At box 1110, a virtualreality system captures information from an operating surface. Forexample, where the operating surface includes one or more sensors, theoperating surface may transmit one or more signals (e.g., infraredsignals) to a base station, a virtual reality headset, or another unitof the virtual reality system, or receive one or more signals from thebase station, the virtual reality headset or the other unit, and maydetermine information regarding the operating surface based on suchsignals. Where the operating surface includes one or more fiducialmarkings, e.g., colors, patterns, logos or other markings, one or moreimages of the operating surface may be captured, and informationregarding the operating surface may be determined based on one or moreanalyses of the images. Some of the information that may be determinedfrom such signals may include, but is not limited to, the positions ofsensors and/or edges, contours, outlines, colors, textures, silhouettes,shapes or other characteristics of any fiducial markings within theimages, surface angles, or orientations of the operating surface, aswell as any surface discontinuities or other features of an underlyingfloor or other traveling or working surface onto which the operatingsurface is applied, which may be identified based on relativedifferences between the respective positions of sensors and/or visibledistortions in the fiducial markings, as expressed in one or moreimages.

At box 1120, the virtual reality system constructs a virtual perimeterbased on the captured information. The perimeter may include one or morevirtual boundaries and may define an operating area for the virtualreality system. Where the captured information includes positions of oneor more sensors, one or more virtual boundaries may be defined based online segments, arcs or other segments (e.g., curvilinear segments)extending between two of the positions, along with rays extendingvertically upward from such positions, as well as any points in spacebetween such rays and above such line segments, arcs or other segments.Where the captured information includes positions or orientations of anyaspects of fiducial markings on the operating surface, one or morevirtual boundaries may be defined based on two or more aspects of thefiducial markings, along with rays extending vertically upward from suchaspects, and any points in space between such rays and above suchaspects. Visual boundaries may also be defined with respect to one ormore offsets, buffers or other set-offs with respect to positions ofsensors or aspects of one or more fiducial markings, as well.

At box 1130, the virtual reality system constructs a virtual floor basedon the captured information. For example, where the operating surfaceincludes a plurality of sensors distributed throughout a mat or otherlike covering for a floor or other traveling or working surface, or oneor more fiducial markings, a virtual floor that corresponds with anactual floor of an environment where the virtual reality system isoperated may be constructed based on the positions of the sensors and/orthe appearance of one or more fiducial markings within imaging data. Thepositions of the sensors and/or the appearance of the fiducial markingsmay indicate whether the actual floor is flat or angled, or includes anydiscontinuities such as stairs, curbs or bumps.

At box 1140, the virtual reality system incorporates the virtualperimeter and the virtual floor into a virtual reality experience. Forexample, where a virtual reality experience is programmed to includespecific virtual boundaries and/or a specific floor, such as videogames, virtual tours, news or educational programs, the virtual realityexperience may be modified to reflect the virtual perimeter defined atbox 1120 and the virtual floor defined at box 1130. To the extent thatthe virtual perimeter and the virtual floor mimic the actual constraintsof an environment in which the virtual reality system is operated, theadverse effects of cognitive dissonance may be mitigated. At box 1150,the user engages in the virtual reality experience on the operatingsurface, and the process ends.

Where an operating surface includes a plurality of distributed sensors,or fiducial markings thereon, an operating area may be defined based onrelative differences in the determined positions of such sensors, or thepositions and/or orientations of aspects of the fiducial markings.Aspects of the operating area that may be defined include, but are notlimited to, the placement, the size and/or the location of one or morevirtual boundaries and/or surface features of a virtual floor. Referringto FIGS. 12A through 12D, views of aspects of one virtual reality systemin accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure are shown.Except where otherwise noted, reference numerals preceded by the number“12” shown in FIGS. 12A through 12D indicate components or features thatare similar to components or features having reference numerals precededby the number “10” shown in FIG. 10, by the number “9” shown in FIG. 9Aor 9B, by the number “8” shown in FIG. 8A or 8B, by the number “7” shownin FIG. 7, by the number “6” shown in FIG. 6, by the number “4” shown inFIG. 4, by the number “2” shown in the block diagram of FIG. 2 or by thenumber “1” shown in the system 100 of FIGS. 1A through 1E.

As is shown in FIGS. 12A-12E, a virtual reality system 1200 includes anoperating area 1220, a virtual reality headset 1230-1 and a virtualreality controller 1230-2. As is shown in FIG. 12A, the operatingsurface 1220 has a length l and a width w, and includes forty-eightsensors 1220-1 through 1220-48 evenly distributed throughout or inassociation with an upper layer (or pile) of the operating surface 1220.Each of the sensors 1220-1 through 1220-48 is shown as separated by aneven distance (or interval) d_(S). For example, where the operatingsurface 1220 has a width w of five feet and a length l of seven feet,the distance d_(S) separating the respective sensors is approximatelyone foot.

The positions of the respective sensors with respect to themselves andone another may be used to define one or more aspects of the operatingarea, e.g., virtual boundaries such as a virtual perimeter and/or avirtual floor, and information or data regarding such aspects may beused to customize a virtual reality experience for a user, to ensurethat the virtual environment in which the user is engaged responds tothe actual environment in which the user is located. As is shown in FIG.12B, where the operating surface 1220 is applied to a flat floor orother traveling or working surface, such that each of the sensors 1222-1through 1222-48 is provided in a common plane and at a common height, avirtual reality experience (e.g., a simulated golf game) displayed to auser 1235 on displays 1240-L, 1240-R within the virtual reality headset1230-1 includes a correspondingly flat surface.

As is shown in FIG. 12C, where the operating surface 1220 is applied toa floor or other traveling or working surface at an angle θ with respectto horizontal, such that each of the sensors 1222-1 through 1222-48 isprovided in a common plane but at varying heights with respect to oneanother, the same virtual reality experience displayed to the user 1235on the displays 1240-L, 1240-R includes a surface provided atapproximately the angle θ with respect to horizontal, mimicking theactual environment in which the operating surface 1220 is provided.

As is shown in FIG. 12D, where the operating surface 1220 is applied toa floor that is narrower than the width w of the operating surface 1220,thereby causing portions of the operating surface 1220 to curl on eitherside, some of the sensors 1222-1 through 1222-48 are provided on acommon, flat plane, while others of the sensors 1222-1 through 1222-48are curled vertically upward with respect to the common, flat plane. Asa result, the same virtual reality experience that is displayed to theuser 1235 on the displays 1240-L, 1240-R includes a central surface thatis flat and narrow, with occlusions to the left and the right sides ofthe central surface, mimicking the actual environment in which theoperating surface 1220 is provided.

As is discussed above, one or more operating surfaces of the presentdisclosure may be applied vertically as well as horizontally, or at anyother angles, and used to construct one or more virtual boundaries orother features of an operating area for a virtual reality system.Referring to FIGS. 13A and 13B, views of aspects of one system inaccordance with embodiments of the present disclosure are shown. Exceptwhere otherwise noted, reference numerals preceded by the number “13”shown in FIG. 13A or 13B indicate components or features that aresimilar to components or features having reference numerals preceded bythe number “12” shown in FIGS. 12A through 12D, by the number “10” shownin FIG. 10, by the number “9” shown in FIG. 9A or 9B, by the number “8”shown in FIG. 8A or 8B, by the number “7” shown in FIG. 7, by the number“6” shown in FIG. 6, by the number “4” shown in FIG. 4, by the number“2” shown in the block diagram of FIG. 2 or by the number “1” shown inthe system 100 of FIGS. 1A through 1E.

As is shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B, a system 1300 includes a restrictedaccess area 1305 (e.g., a kitchen), an operating surface 1320, a virtualreality headset 1330 and a base station 1360. The operating surface 1320comprises a plurality of sensors 1322-1, 1322-2, 1322-3, 1322-4 disposedtherein, e.g., at or near corners of one or more rectangular-shapedlayers or substrates.

In accordance with the present disclosure, where a user 1335 intends tooperate the virtual reality headset 1330 and/or the base station 1360 ina given location, the user 1335 may create a safe operating area bymounting the operating surface 1320 to an easel 1323 (or a stand orother structure or fixture) between the given location and therestricted access area 1305. As is shown in FIG. 13B, after theoperating surface 1320 has been mounted to the easel 1323, the basestation 1360 may determine positions of the respective sensors 1322-1,1322-2, 1322-3, 1322-4, and may construct a virtual boundary 1350 in theform of a planar section for the base station 1360 and/or the virtualreality headset 1330 based on the positions of the sensors 1322-1,1322-2, 1322-3, 1322-4. After the virtual boundary 1350 has beenconstructed, the user 1335 may be alerted if he or she approaches therestricted access area 1305 while wearing the virtual reality headset1330, e.g., by one or more audible or visible prompts, or other forms offeedback.

Alternatively or additionally, those of ordinary skill in the pertinentarts may recognize that the operating surface 1320 may include one ormore fiducial markings thereon. The virtual boundary 1350 may beconstructed once the virtual reality headset 1330 and/or the basestation 1360 recognizes the fiducial markings.

In some embodiments, a plurality of sensors may be used to define one ormore virtual boundaries even if the sensors are not associated with asheet-like layer or substrate. For example, sensors may be manuallydistributed and/or installed in one or more discrete locations, and oneor more virtual boundaries may be constructed once the positions of suchsensors are recognized. Referring to FIGS. 14A through 14E, views ofaspects of one virtual reality system in accordance with embodiments ofthe present disclosure are shown. Except where otherwise noted,reference numerals preceded by the number “14” shown in FIGS. 14Athrough 14E indicate components or features that are similar tocomponents or features having reference numerals preceded by the number“13” shown in FIG. 13A or 13B, by the number “12” shown in FIGS. 12Athrough 12D, by the number “10” shown in FIG. 10, by the number “9”shown in FIG. 9A or 9B, by the number “8” shown in FIG. 8A or 8B, by thenumber “7” shown in FIG. 7, by the number “6” shown in FIG. 6, by thenumber “4” shown in FIG. 4, by the number “2” shown in the block diagramof FIG. 2 or by the number “1” shown in the system 100 of FIGS. 1Athrough 1E.

As is shown in FIGS. 14A through 14E, a virtual reality system 1400includes a plurality of sensors 1422A, 1422B, 1422C, 1422D, as well as avirtual reality headset 1430 and a base station 1460. The virtualreality headset 1430 is configured for wearing about a head or a face ofa user 1435.

The sensors of the present disclosure may take any shape or form, andmay be mounted within an actual environment where a virtual realitysystem is to be operated in any manner. For example, as is shown in FIG.14A, the sensor 1422A has a substantially annular or toroidalconstruction, with a bore extending therethrough. The sensor 1422A maybe mounted to a surface 1423A quickly and efficiently, by a fastener ofany type or kind that may be accommodated within the bore and fixedly orreleasably joined to the surface 1423A. For example, as is shown in FIG.14A, a threaded bolt 1421A having a nominal and/or major diameter lessthan an internal diameter of the bore of the sensor 1422A may beextended through the bore and rotated into an opening of the surface1423A having internal threads corresponding to the external threads ofthe threaded bolt 1421A. Once the sensor 1422A is mounted to the surface1423A, the sensor 1422A may receive signals from one or more sources,and a position of the sensor 1422A may be determined in response to suchsignals.

Similarly, as is shown in FIG. 14B, the sensor 1422B may include a loopof wire, rope or another tensile member that enables the sensor 1422B tobe hung from a hook 1421B or other hanging element mounted to a surface1423B. As is shown in FIG. 14C, the sensor 1422C may be adhered to asurface 1423C by any means, including but not limited to a strip 1421Cof an adhesive member. As is shown in FIG. 14D, the sensor 1422D may bemounted to a substrate 1423D and applied to a surface by poking a pin1421D or another fastener through the substrate. Those of ordinary skillin the pertinent arts will recognize that the sensors of the presentdisclosure may be mounted and/or installed in any manner and by anymeans, including but not limited to one or more belts, straps, bands,clamps, clips, glues, straps, tapes, fasteners, stakes, nails or posts,any other tension members, compression members or adhesives or the like,and the sensors need not be joined to an actual surface. Alternatively,those of ordinary skill in the pertinent arts will recognize that one ormore fiducial markings may also be mounted within such an environment inany manner, such as by one or more of the techniques or features shownin FIGS. 14A through 14D.

Once the sensors 1422A, 1422B, 1422C, 1422D have been installed withinan environment, such sensors may be used to define an operating area fora virtual reality system. For example, as is shown in FIG. 14E, when thebase station 1460 recognizes the positions of the sensors 1422A, 1422B,1422C, 1422D, an operating area 1450 may be defined from such positions.Alternatively, the positions of the sensors 1422A, 1422B, 1422C, 1422Dmay be determined by the virtual reality headset 1430, and the operatingarea 1450 may be defined based on such positions.

As is discussed above, the virtual boundaries of the present disclosuremay take any form, and may have any dimensions. For example, the virtualboundaries may have any shape and may be defined with respect to one ormore bounds or limits, and a virtual reality experience may becustomized based on the shapes of the virtual boundaries. A user of avirtual reality system within an operating area defined by such virtualboundaries may execute any number of gestures, motions or other actionswith respect to such virtual boundaries, subject to the constraintsimposed by such bounds or limits. For example, the user may reach above,below or around any virtual boundaries, as such boundaries arerepresented within the virtual reality experience.

Referring to FIGS. 15A through 15C, views of aspects of one virtualreality system in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosureare shown. Except where otherwise noted, reference numerals preceded bythe number “15” shown in FIGS. 15A through 15C indicate components orfeatures that are similar to components or features having referencenumerals preceded by the number “14” shown in FIGS. 14A through 14E, bythe number “13” shown in FIG. 13A or 13B, by the number “12” shown inFIGS. 12A through 12D, by the number “10” shown in FIG. 10, by thenumber “9” shown in FIG. 9A or 9B, by the number “8” shown in FIG. 8A or8B, by the number “7” shown in FIG. 7, by the number “6” shown in FIG.6, by the number “4” shown in FIG. 4, by the number “2” shown in theblock diagram of FIG. 2 or by the number “1” shown in the system 100 ofFIGS. 1A through 1E.

As is shown in FIGS. 15A through 15C, a virtual reality system 1500includes an operating surface 1520, a plurality of sensors 1522-1,1522-2, 1522-3, 1522-4, 1522-5, 1522-6, 1522-7, 1522-8, a virtualreality headset 1530-1, a virtual reality controller 1530-2 and a basestation 1560. The operating surface 1520 has the form of a mat or otherfloor covering in the shape of a rectangle, and includes the sensors1522-1, 1522-2, 1522-3, 1522-4 disposed within corners of the operatingsurface 1520. The operating surface 1520 further includes a fiducialmarking 1525 (e.g., an image of a portion of a baseball diamond) on anupper layer (or pile) thereof. Additionally, the sensors 1522-5, 1522-6,1522-7, 1522-8 are mounted to portions of walls within a room.

In accordance with the present disclosure, the virtual reality system1500 of FIGS. 15A through 15C may be configured to generate an operatingarea 1550 based on the positions of the sensors 1522-1, 1522-2, 1522-3,1522-4, 1522-5, 1522-6, 1522-7, 1522-8. As is shown in FIG. 15B, theoperating area 1550 includes a box-like region defined by a plurality ofvirtual boundaries, and has a length l defined by the distance betweenthe sensor 1522-1 and the sensor 1522-3, or between the sensor 1522-2and the sensor 1522-4, and a width w defined by the distance between thesensor 1522-1 and the sensor 1522-2, or between the sensor 1522-3 andthe sensor 1522-4. The box-like region has upper bounds at a height hextending vertically upward from the positions of each of the sensors1522-1, 1522-2, 1522-3, 1522-4 to points 1526-1, 1526-2, 1526-3, 1526-4.The operating area 1550 is further defined by virtual boundaries formedby polygonal sections extending between the positions of the sensors1522-5, 1522-6, 1522-7, 1522-8 and the points 1526-1, 1526-2, 1526-3.Thus, a user 1535 of the virtual reality system 1500 may wear a virtualreality headset 1530-1 and/or operate a handheld virtual realitycontroller 1530-2 within the box-like region defined by the positions ofthe sensors 1522-1, 1522-2, 1522-3, 1522-4 and the points 1526-1,1526-2, 1526-3, 1526-4, and above and over the upper bounds at theheight h, subject to the virtual boundaries formed by the polygonalsections extending between the positions of the sensors 1522-5, 1522-6,1522-7, 1522-8 and the points 1526-1, 1526-2, 1526-3.

As is shown in FIG. 15C, a virtual reality experience may be customizedbased on the operating area 1550, thereby enabling the user 1535 toreach over the upper bounds of the box-like region during the virtualreality experience. For example, as is shown in FIG. 15C, as the user1535 extends the virtual reality controller 1530-2 over the upper boundsof the box-like region during a simulated baseball game within a virtualstadium, images that are displayed to the user 1535 on displays 1540-L,1540-R within the virtual reality headset 1530-1 depict the user 1535reaching over a fence of the virtual stadium to make a play. The virtualreality system 1500 thus takes into account the shapes and dimensions ofthe operating area 1550, as determined by the positions of the sensors1522-1, 1522-2, 1522-3, 1522-4, 1522-5, 1522-6, 1522-7, 1522-8, andcustomizes the virtual stadium and, therefore, the reality experience ofthe user 1535 based on the operating area 1550. For example, if the user1535 relocates or repositions the operating surface 1520, the virtualstadium will appear differently to the user 1535 on the displays 1540-L,1540-R. Various attributes of the virtual reality experience, includingbut not limited to the height h, or the length l or the width w of thevirtual boundaries, may be varied accordingly.

In accordance with the present disclosure, any type or form of feedbackmay be provided to users of virtual reality systems when such usersapproach or breach one or more virtual boundaries of an operating area.For example, information including one or more indications that the userhas approached or breached a virtual boundary may be displayed to a useron one or more displays (e.g., within a virtual reality headset).Alternatively, any other feedback may be provided to the user, includingbut not limited to audible feedback and/or haptic feedback. Referring toFIGS. 16A and 16B, views of aspects of one virtual reality system inaccordance with embodiments of the present disclosure are shown. Exceptwhere otherwise noted, reference numerals preceded by the number “16”shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B indicate components or features that aresimilar to components or features having reference numerals preceded bythe number “15” shown in FIGS. 15A through 15C, by the number “14” shownin the FIGS. 14A through 14E, by the number “13” shown in FIG. 13A or13B, by the number “12” shown in FIGS. 12A through 12D, by the number“10” shown in FIG. 10, by the number “9” shown in FIG. 9A or 9B, by thenumber “8” shown in FIG. 8A or 8B, by the number “7” shown in FIG. 7, bythe number “6” shown in FIG. 6, by the number “4” shown in FIG. 4, bythe number “2” shown in the block diagram of FIG. 2 or by the number “1”shown in the system 100 of FIGS. 1A through 1E.

As is shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B, a virtual reality system 1600 includesan operating surface 1620 and a virtual reality headset 1630. Theoperating surface 1620 includes a plurality of sensors 1622 (e.g.,infrared sensors) at or near corners of one or more rectangular-shapedlayers or substrates. The operating surface 1620 further includes anumber of feedback devices provided along a perimeter of the operatingsurface 1620, including a plurality of haptic feedback elements 1624-1and a plurality of audio speakers 1624-2. Alternatively or additionally,the virtual reality system 1600 may further include one or more basestations (not shown). The haptic feedback elements 1624-1 may be anytype or form of physical components that may be automatically controlledor configured to generate tactile vibrations of any frequency orintensity. The audio speakers 1624-2 may be any type or form ofcomponents for converting electrical signals into sound energy such aselectrodynamic speakers, electrostatic speakers, flat-diaphragmspeakers, magnetostatic speakers, magnetostrictive speakers,ribbon-driven speakers, planar speakers, plasma arc speakers, or others.

As is shown in FIG. 16B, when the user 1635 approaches or breaches avirtual boundary of an operating area defined by the positions of thesensors 1622 at least in part, one or more of the haptic feedbackelements 1624-1 and/or the audio speakers 1624-2 may provide vibratoryor audible feedback to the user 1635. Any type or form of feedback maybe provided to the user 1635. In some embodiments, the vibratory oraudible feedback may be selected based on a virtual reality experiencein which the user 1635 is a participant. For example, as is shown inFIG. 16B, the audible feedback provided to the user 1635 by the audiospeakers 1624-2 may include sounds associated with one or more videogames, virtual tours, news or educational programs, or any other contentrendered by the virtual reality headset 1630 (e.g., “roar!” or “watchout for dinosaurs!”). Likewise, the type or form of feedback may beindicative of whether the user 1635 has merely approached a virtualboundary of the operating area 1650, or has actually breached theoperating area 1650. For example, the haptic feedback elements 1624-1may generate tactile vibrations at a first frequency or intensity whenthe user 1635 approaches a virtual boundary, and may generate tactilevibrations at a second frequency or intensity when the user 1635 hasbreached the virtual boundary.

The specific feedback elements that are used to provide feedback to theuser 1635 may be selected in any manner. For example, when the user 1635approaches or breaches the operating area 1635 feedback may be providedby each of the haptic feedback elements 1624-1 and/or each of the audiospeakers 1624-2 on the operating surface 1620, or only by specifichaptic feedback elements 1624-1 and/or the specific audio speakers1624-2 closest to the user 1635 at the time of his or her approach orbreach. Furthermore, feedback provided by the haptic feedback elements1624-1 or the audio speakers 1624-2 may be augmented by visual feedbackrendered on one or more displays within the headset 1630. Moreover, oneor more of the operating surfaces of the present disclosure may beconfigured to provide passive feedback to a user. For example, an upperlayer of an operating surface may have a distinct texture or feel thatmay indicate to a user when he or she is on the operating surface whilehe or she is using a virtual reality system. Conversely, when the userno longer experiences the distinct texture or feel, the user may discernthat he or she is no longer on the operating surface.

The sensors and/or the fiducial markings of the present disclosure mayalso aid a virtual reality system in making more accurate measurementsof users thereof. For example, where an operating surface includes aplurality of sensors distributed thereon at predetermined distances orintervals, or one or more fiducial markings having known dimensionsprovided thereon, imaging data captured of a user on the operatingsurface may be used to determine dimensions of the user, e.g., bycomparison to such predetermined distances or intervals, or such knowndimensions. The dimensions of the user may be used for any purpose,including but not limited to enhancing a virtual reality experience ofthe user, by ensuring that the experience is properly adapted for thedimensions of the user.

Referring to FIG. 17, a flow chart 1700 of one process for defining anoperating area for virtual reality systems in accordance withembodiments of the present disclosure is shown. At box 1710, a virtualreality system recognizes the dimensions and attributes of an operatingsurface. For example, the operating surface may include one or moresensors, e.g., infrared sensors, and the dimensions and/or attributesmay be determined in response to signals transmitted or received by suchsensors. The operating surface may also include one or more fiducialmarkings thereon, and the dimensions and/or attributes may be determinedbased on imaging data captured from the operating surface. Thedimensions and/or attributes of the operating surface may be determinedin any manner, in accordance with the present disclosure.

At box 1720, the virtual reality system defines an operating area basedon the dimensions and attributes of the operating surface determined atbox 1710. For example, the operating area may be defined by one or morevirtual boundaries, which may include a plurality of points within oneor more planar sections defined by line segments extending betweenpositions of sensors and rays extending vertically upward from suchpositions, or defined by aspects of one or more fiducial markings (e.g.,line segments, arcs or other sections, such as curvilinear sections),and rays extending vertically upward from such aspects. The operatingarea may be further defined to include a virtual floor constructed fromone or more of the positions of the sensors, or one or more of theaspects of the fiducial markings, and any number of points in spaceassociated with such positions or aspects.

At box 1730, a user enters the operating area, and at box 1740, the userexecutes one or more gestures within the operating area. For example,the user may don a virtual reality headset, or carry one or more virtualreality units into the operating area, and perform any number ofpredetermined or spontaneous gestures, motions or other actions as thelocations of one or more of his or her body parts are tracked by thevirtual reality system. For example, the user may stand, walk, twirl,jump, dance or perform any other actions within the operating area.Alternatively, the user need not wear a virtual reality headset or carryany virtual reality units into the operating area, and his or hergestures, motions or actions may be tracked by a base station (e.g., avisual imaging device and/or a depth imaging device) or one or moresensors provided on a body of the user.

At box 1750, the virtual reality system identifies and tracks thepositions of one or more aspects of the user within the operating area,e.g., the limbs, the head, the torso or other features of the user, asthe user executes the one or more gestures within the operating area.The virtual reality system may track such positions based on one or moresensors worn by the user, e.g., in a virtual reality headset or otherwearable systems, or carried by the user, e.g., on a virtual realitycontroller. Alternatively, the virtual reality system may track suchpositions using an imaging device, e.g., a visual imaging device and/ora depth imaging device, and processing imaging data captured thereby torecognize specific limbs or other body parts.

At box 1760, the virtual reality system determines one or moredimensions or attributes of the user based on the dimensions andattributes of the operating surface, and the process ends. For example,where the operating area is defined by a mat having four sensorsarranged in a rectangle having known dimensions of five feet by sevenfeet (5 ft), dimensions of a user such as lengths, circumferences,diameters or thicknesses of heads, necks, shoulders, backs, arms,waists, hips, seats, legs or feet may be determined with respect to thepositions of the sensors and the dimensions of the rectangle.Alternatively, where the operating area is defined by a carpet having afiducial marking in the form of a visually prominent circular logohaving a known diameter of four feet (4 ft), dimensions of the user maybe determined with respect to the dimensions of the logo.

Referring to FIGS. 18A and 18B, views of aspects of one virtual realitysystem in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure areshown. Except where otherwise noted, reference numerals preceded by thenumber “18” shown in FIGS. 18A and 18B indicate components or featuresthat are similar to components or features having reference numeralspreceded by the number “16” shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B, by the number“15” shown in FIGS. 15A through 15C, by the number “14” shown in FIGS.14A through 14E, by the number “13” shown in FIG. 13A or 13B, by thenumber “12” shown in FIGS. 12A through 12D, by the number “10” shown inFIG. 10, by the number “9” shown in FIG. 9A or 9B, by the number “8”shown in FIG. 8A or 8B, by the number “7” shown in FIG. 7, by the number“6” shown in FIG. 6, by the number “4” shown in FIG. 4, by the number“2” shown in the block diagram of FIG. 2 or by the number “1” shown inthe system 100 of FIGS. 1A through 1E.

As is shown in FIG. 18A, a virtual reality system 1800 includes anoperating surface 1820, a virtual reality headset 1830 and a basestation 1860. The operating surface 1820 is in the shape of a rectangle,and includes a plurality of sensors 1822-1, 1822-2, 1822-3, 1822-4(e.g., infrared sensors) at or near corners of the operating surface1820, separated by a length l and a width w. The base station 1860includes an infrared transceiver 1870, a visual imaging device 1872-1and a depth imaging device 1872-2. A user 1835 having a height h isshown as standing on the operating surface 1820, wearing the virtualreality headset 1830.

As is shown in FIG. 18B, when the user 1835 lays down atop an upperlayer of the operating surface 1820, the height h of the user 1835 maybe determined with respect to the length l between the sensor 1822-2 andthe sensor 1822-4, or between the sensor 1822-1 and the sensor 1822-3.Alternatively, one or more additional dimensions or other attributes ofthe user 1835 may be determined with respect to the length l, the widthw between the sensor 1822-1 and the sensor 1822-2 or between the sensor1822-3 and the sensor 1822-4, or any other dimension or attribute of theoperating surface 1820.

Although the disclosure has been described herein using exemplarytechniques, components, and/or processes for implementing the systemsand methods of the present disclosure, it should be understood by thoseskilled in the art that other techniques, components, and/or processesor other combinations and sequences of the techniques, components,and/or processes described herein may be used or performed that achievethe same function(s) and/or result(s) described herein and which areincluded within the scope of the present disclosure.

For example, although some of the embodiments disclosed herein refer tohead-mounted virtual reality systems, the systems and methods of thepresent disclosure are not so limited, and may be utilized in connectionwith any type or form of virtual reality system, and need not be limitedfor use in virtual reality systems that are mounted to heads (e.g.,headsets, goggles or glasses). Additionally, although some of theembodiments disclosed herein refer to ground-based operating surfaces(e.g., mats), the systems and methods of the present disclosure are notso limited, and may be utilized in connection with operating surfacesprovided at any angle or orientation, or with sensors or othercomponents that are not associated with any type or form of surface atall, such as one or more of the sensors shown in FIGS. 14A through 14D.

It should be understood that, unless otherwise explicitly or implicitlyindicated herein, any of the features, characteristics, alternatives ormodifications described regarding a particular embodiment herein mayalso be applied, used, or incorporated with any other embodimentdescribed herein, and that the drawings and detailed description of thepresent disclosure are intended to cover all modifications, equivalentsand alternatives to the various embodiments as defined by the appendedclaims. Moreover, with respect to the one or more methods or processesof the present disclosure described herein, including but not limited tothe flow charts shown in FIG. 3, 5, 11 or 17, orders in which suchmethods or processes are presented are not intended to be construed asany limitation on the claimed inventions, and any number of the methodor process steps or boxes described herein can be combined in any orderand/or in parallel to implement the methods or processes describedherein. Additionally, it should be appreciated that the detaileddescription is set forth with reference to the accompanying drawings,which are not drawn to scale. In the drawings, the use of the same orsimilar reference numbers in different figures indicates the same orsimilar items or features. Except where otherwise noted, one or moreleft-most digit(s) of a reference number identify a figure or figures inwhich the reference number first appears, while two right-most digits ofa reference number in a figure indicate a component or a feature that issimilar to components or features having reference numbers with the sametwo right-most digits in other figures.

Conditional language, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” or“may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understoodwithin the context as used, is generally intended to convey in apermissive manner that certain embodiments could include, or have thepotential to include, but do not mandate or require, certain features,elements and/or steps. In a similar manner, terms such as “include,”“including” and “includes” are generally intended to mean “including,but not limited to.” Thus, such conditional language is not generallyintended to imply that features, elements and/or steps are in any wayrequired for one or more embodiments or that one or more embodimentsnecessarily include logic for deciding, with or without user input orprompting, whether these features, elements and/or steps are included orare to be performed in any particular embodiment.

The elements of a method, process, or algorithm described in connectionwith the embodiments disclosed herein can be embodied directly inhardware, in a software module stored in one or more memory devices andexecuted by one or more processors, or in a combination of the two. Asoftware module can reside in RAM, flash memory, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM,registers, a hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM or anyother form of non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, media, orphysical computer storage known in the art. An example storage mediumcan be coupled to the processor such that the processor can readinformation from, and write information to, the storage medium. In thealternative, the storage medium can be integral to the processor. Thestorage medium can be volatile or nonvolatile. The processor and thestorage medium can reside in an application-specific integrated circuit,or ASIC, which can reside in a user terminal. In the alternative, theprocessor and the storage medium can reside as discrete components in auser terminal.

Disjunctive language such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, or Z,” or“at least one of X, Y and Z,” unless specifically stated otherwise, isotherwise understood with the context as used in general to present thatan item, term, etc., may be either X, Y, or Z, or any combinationthereof (e.g., X, Y, and/or Z). Thus, such disjunctive language is notgenerally intended to, and should not, imply that certain embodimentsrequire at least one of X, at least one of Y, or at least one of Z toeach be present.

Unless otherwise explicitly stated, articles such as “a” or “an” shouldgenerally be interpreted to include one or more described items.Accordingly, phrases such as “a device configured to” are intended toinclude one or more recited devices. Such one or more recited devicescan also be collectively configured to carry out the stated recitations.For example, “a processor configured to carry out recitations A, B andC” can include a first processor configured to carry out recitation Aworking in conjunction with a second processor configured to carry outrecitations B and C.

Language of degree used herein, such as the terms “about,”“approximately,” “generally,” “nearly” or “substantially” as usedherein, represent a value, amount, or characteristic close to the statedvalue, amount, or characteristic that still performs a desired functionor achieves a desired result. For example, the terms “about,”“approximately,” “generally,” “nearly” or “substantially” may refer toan amount that is within less than 10% of, within less than 5% of,within less than 1% of, within less than 0.1% of, and within less than0.01% of the stated amount.

Although the invention has been described and illustrated with respectto illustrative embodiments thereof, the foregoing and various otheradditions and omissions may be made therein and thereto withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A virtual reality system comprising: an operatingsurface having a first infrared sensor and a second infrared sensor; aheadset comprising: a frame adapted for mounting about a human head,wherein the frame defines a cavity adapted for mating with at least aportion of the human head; and at least one display mounted within thecavity, wherein the at least one display is adapted to display imagingdata for viewing by at least one eye of the human head; and a basestation comprising at least one infrared transceiver, at least one datastore and at least one computer processor, wherein the at least one datastore has at least one set of instructions stored thereon that, whenexecuted by the at least one computer processor, cause the base stationto at least: emit first infrared light by the infrared transceiver;determine, in response to the first infrared light, a first position ofthe first infrared sensor; determine, in response to the first infraredlight, a second position of the second infrared sensor; and define anoperating area for the virtual reality system based at least in part onthe first position and the second position.
 2. The virtual realitysystem of claim 1, wherein the at least one set of instructions, whenexecuted by the at least one computer processor, further cause the basestation to at least: construct a first virtual boundary, wherein thefirst virtual boundary comprises a first plurality of points within afirst planar section defined at least in part by a first line segmentextending between the first position and the second position and betweena first ray extending vertically upward from the first position and asecond ray extending vertically upward from the second position, andwherein the operating area is defined at least in part by the firstvirtual boundary.
 3. The virtual reality system of claim 2, wherein theoperating surface further comprises a third infrared sensor, and whereinthe at least one set of instructions, when executed by the at least onecomputer processor, further cause the base station to at least:determine, in response to the first infrared light, a third position ofthe third infrared sensor; and construct a virtual floor, wherein thevirtual floor comprises a second plurality of points within a secondplanar section defined at least in part by the first line segment and asecond line segment extending between the second position and the thirdposition, and wherein the operating area is defined at least in part bythe first virtual boundary and the virtual floor.
 4. The virtual realitysystem of claim 1, wherein the headset further comprises at least athird infrared sensor, and wherein the at least one set of instructions,when executed by the at least one computer processor, further cause thebase station to at least: emit second infrared light by the infraredtransceiver; determine, in response to the second infrared light, athird position of the third infrared sensor; determine that the thirdposition is not within the operating area; and cause a display ofinformation on the at least one display, wherein the informationcomprises an indication that the headset is not within the operatingarea.
 5. A computer-implemented method comprising: receiving at least afirst signal transmitted by a first sensor joined to at least onesubstrate and a second signal transmitted by a second sensor;determining, by at least one computer processor, a first position of thefirst sensor based at least in part on the first signal; determining, bythe at least one computer processor, a second position of the secondsensor based at least in part on the second signal; and establishing, bythe at least one computer processor, an operating area for a virtualreality system based at least in part on the first position and thesecond position.
 6. The computer-implemented method of claim 5, whereinthe operating area is defined at least in part by: a first line segmentextending between the first position and the second position; a firstray extending vertically upward from the first position; and a secondray extending vertically upward from the second position.
 7. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 6, further comprising: defining afirst virtual boundary of the operating area based at least in part onthe first line segment, the first ray and the second ray; generating atleast a portion of a virtual reality experience based at least in parton the first virtual boundary; and causing a display of information onat least one display of a virtual reality headset within the operatingarea, wherein the information comprises at least one image associatedwith the portion of the virtual reality experience, and wherein at leasta portion of the at least one image is consistent with the first virtualboundary.
 8. The computer-implemented method of claim 5, wherein the atleast one substrate is formed from at least one of a wool, a nylon, apolypropylene, a polyester, a rubber, an acrylic, a cotton or a linen.9. The computer-implemented method of claim 5, wherein a visible surfaceof the at least one substrate comprises at least one marking thereon,and wherein the computer-implemented method further comprises:capturing, by at least one imaging device, at least one image of atleast a portion of the visible surface; and recognizing at least aportion of the fiducial marking within the at least one image, whereinthe portion of the marking comprises at least one of an edge, a contour,an outline, a color, a texture, a silhouette or a shape of the fiducialmarking, and wherein the operating area is defined based at least inpart on at least the portion of the marking.
 10. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 5, wherein the at least onesubstrate is applied to one of a horizontal surface, and wherein thesecond sensor is mounted in association with a vertical surface.
 11. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 5, wherein a plurality of sensorsis joined to the at least one substrate, and wherein the plurality ofsensors includes at least the first sensor and the second sensor. 12.The computer-implemented method of claim 11, wherein receiving at leastthe first signal and the second signal comprises: receiving a pluralityof signals from at least some of the plurality of sensors, wherein theplurality of signals includes at least the first signal and the secondsignal, and wherein the at least some of the plurality of sensorsincludes at least the first sensor and the second sensor; and whereinthe computer-implemented method further comprises: determining positionsof the at least some of the plurality of sensors; and defining a virtualfloor based at least in part on the positions of the at least some ofthe plurality of sensors.
 13. The computer-implemented method of claim5, further comprising: determining, by the at least one computerprocessor, a position of at least a portion of at least one user of thevirtual reality system; determining that the position of at least theportion of the at least one user is not within the operating area; andin response to determining that the position of at least the portion ofthe at least one user is not within the operating area, providingfeedback to the at least one user.
 14. The computer-implemented methodof claim 13, wherein determining the position of at least the portion ofthe at least one user comprises: determining, by the at least onecomputer processor, a position of at least one sensor associated with avirtual reality headset worn by the at least one user, and whereinproviding the feedback to the at least one user comprises: causing adisplay of information on at least one display of the virtual realityheadset, wherein the information comprises an indicator that at leastthe portion of the at least one user is not within the operating area.15. The computer-implemented method of claim 13, wherein at least one ofa haptic feedback element or an audible feedback element is joined tothe at least one substrate, and wherein providing the feedback to the atleast one user comprises: causing the haptic feedback element tovibrate; or emitting at least one sound by the audible feedback element.16. The computer-implemented method of claim 5, wherein the first sensorcomprises a first photodiode and at least a first integrated circuit,wherein the second sensor comprises a second photodiode and at least asecond integrated circuit, and wherein receiving at least the firstsignal and the second signal comprises: receiving the first signal inresponse to activation of the first photodiode by infrared light; andreceiving the second signal in response to activation of the secondphotodiode by infrared light.
 17. The computer-implemented method ofclaim 16, further comprising: emitting the infrared light by at leastone infrared transceiver of a base station of the virtual realitysystem, wherein the base station further comprises the at least onecomputer processor.
 18. The computer-implemented method of claim 16,wherein the base station further comprises at least one imaging deviceincluding at least a portion of the operating area within a field ofview, and wherein the computer-implemented method further comprises:capturing, by the at least one imaging device, at least one image of atleast the portion of the operating area; determining, by the at leastone computer processor, that the at least one image depicts at least aportion of at least one user of the virtual reality system therein; anddetermining, by the at least one computer processor, at least onedimension of the least one user based at least in part on: a distancebetween the first position and the second position; and at least theportion of the at least one user depicted in the at least one image. 19.A system comprising: a station comprising at least one infraredtransceiver, wherein the station is configured to emit infraredradiation by the at least one infrared transceiver; a layer formed atleast in part from at least one of a wool, a nylon, a polypropylene, apolyester, an acrylic, a cotton or a linen; a first infrared sensorcomprising a first photodiode and a first integrated circuit, whereinthe first integrated circuit is configured to generate a first signal inresponse to activation of the first photodiode by the infrared radiationemitted by the at least one transceiver, and wherein at least a portionof the first infrared sensor is joined to the layer; and a secondinfrared sensor comprising a second photodiode and a second integratedcircuit, wherein the second integrated circuit is configured to generatea second signal in response to activation of the second photodiode bythe infrared radiation emitted by the at least one transceiver, andwherein at least a portion of the second infrared sensor is joined tothe layer.
 20. The system of claim 19, further comprising: a feedbackelement joined to the layer, wherein the feedback element is at leastone of: a haptic feedback element configured to vibrate at one or morefrequencies in response to a signal from the station; or an audiblefeedback element configured to emit one or more sounds in response to asignal from the station.